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There is a groundswell of support behind Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she faced disparaging remarks on social media over her looks following a high-profile event.

Zeta-Jones attended a promotional function in Los Angeles last month during which a TikTok interview discussing her part in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed by comments about her age.

A Chorus of Defence

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, described the online criticism "complete nonsense", noting that "males escape such a timeline which women face".

"Males escape this sell-by/use-by date which women face," stated Ms White.

Author Sali Hughes, 50, said in contrast to men, females are subject to unfair scrutiny growing older and she ought to be at liberty to appear in any way she chooses.

Online Reaction

During the interview, which was also posted on social media and garnered over 2.5 million views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Wales, discussed her enjoyment in delving into her character, Morticia Addams, in the latest season.

However a significant number of the online responses focused on her years and were disparaging towards her looks.

This criticism triggered significant support for Zeta-Jones, featuring a viral video from one Facebook user which stated: "You bully females when they get treatments and attack them if they avoid enough."

Online users came to her defence, as one put it: "This is aging naturally and she appears gorgeous."

Others described her as "beautiful" and "so pretty", with another adding that "she looks her age - which is simply the natural process."

Making a Point

The winner attended at the studio recently with a bare face to "prove a point" and to demonstrate the absence of a "mold" of how a woman in midlife ought to appear.

As with others her age, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "improved" and appear "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a gift and provided we live gracefully, that's what is important," she stated further.

She argued that men were not held to equivalent appearance ideals, stating "nobody scrutinizes the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they simply appear 'great'."

Ms White noted this was part of the motivation behind her participation in Miss Great Britain's category for women over 45, to prove that women in midlife remain relevant" and "possess it".

A Fundamental Problem

The author, a journalist of Welsh origin, said that although Zeta-Jones was "gorgeous" this is "irrelevant", noting she ought to be free to look in any way she chooses free from her years being scrutinised.

Hughes argued the digital criticism showed that no female is "immune" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" suggesting they are lacking or youthful enough - a problem that is "infuriating, irrespective of the person involved".

Questioned on whether males encounter equivalent judgment, she responded "no, never", explaining females are targeted simply for showing "audacity" to live online as they age.

A No-Win Situation

Regardless of the beauty industry emphasizing "youthful longevity", the author stated females are still face criticism regardless of if they grow older naturally or opted for procedures including plastic surgery or injectables.

"If you age naturally, commenters state you ought to try harder; if you get work done, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she added.