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There is a groundswell of support in defence of Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by disparaging remarks on social media about her appearance at a recent high-profile appearance.

She appeared at a Netflix event in LA on 9 November during which an online segment about her role in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed by comments concerning her looks.

A Chorus of Defence

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, called the online criticism "absolute rubbish", noting that "males escape this expiration date that women do".

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

Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, said unlike men, women were subject to unfair scrutiny for ageing and she ought to be able to look in any way she chooses.

The Social Media Storm

During the interview, uploaded to social media and had more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, who is from Wales, discussed how much she enjoyed delving into her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

But a large portion of the numerous remarks focused on her age and were negative regarding her looks.

This criticism triggered significant support of the actor, including a widely-shared clip online which said: "There is criticism for females for having cosmetic procedures and bully them when they don't have sufficient procedures."

Online users spoke up for her, as one put it: "This is aging naturally and she looks beautiful."

Others described her as "stunning" and "very attractive", and one comment read that "her appearance reflects her years - that is life."

Challenging Perceptions

She appeared at the studio earlier without any makeup to "prove a point" and to demonstrate the absence of a "mold" of how a woman of a certain age should look like.

Like many women her age, she explained she "looks after herself" not to appear younger but to feel "well" and look "healthy".

"Growing older is a privilege and provided we do it the best we can, this is what really matters," she stated further.

She argued that men aren't judged by identical appearance ideals, adding "people don't ask how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they just are described as 'great'."

She explained it was part of the motivation she entered the pageant's division for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that midlife women are still here" and "possess it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Sali Hughes, a journalist from Wales, said that while Zeta-Jones was "gorgeous" this is "not the point", noting she ought to be able to appear as she wishes without her years facing scrutiny.

She said the social media vitriol proved not a single woman is "exempt" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "constant narrative" suggesting they are insufficient or of the right age - a problem that is "galling, irrespective of the individual targeted".

When asked if men face equivalent judgment, she said "absolutely not", adding females are targeted merely for demonstrating the "nerve" to be present on the internet while growing older.

A Double Bind

Even with the beauty industry advocating for "age-defiance", the author stated females are still criticised whether they aged naturally or underwent treatments like surgical procedures or fillers.

"Should you grow older gracefully, people say more could be done; if you undergo work done, you are criticized for not aging gracefully enough," she remarked further.