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Women are rallying for acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she encountered scrutiny on social media about her appearance at a recent red carpet event.

The actor was present at a Netflix event in Los Angeles on 9 November during which an online segment about her character in the latest the 'Wednesday' show became dominated because of discussion concerning her age.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "complete nonsense", noting that "men don't have this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women".

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

Author Sali Hughes, 50, commented in contrast to men, females are criticized as they age and Zeta-Jones should be at liberty to look as she wishes.

Digital Backlash

During the interview, uploaded to social media and had over 2.5 million views, Zeta-Jones, who is from Swansea, discussed her enjoyment in exploring her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.

Yet a significant number of the online responses focused on her age and were disparaging about her looks.

The negative remarks ignited widespread defence for Zeta-Jones, featuring a viral video from a social media user which said: "You bully women if they undergo too much work done and criticize them if they avoid enough."

Others also rallied in support, as one put it: "It's called aging naturally and she appears gorgeous."

Others described her as "beautiful" and "lovely", and one comment read that "her appearance reflects her years - that is life."

Challenging Perceptions

The winner attended on air earlier with a bare face to "prove a point" and to show the absence of a "blueprint" for what a woman in her 50s ought to appear.

Like many women of her years, she stated she "takes care of herself" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "better" and be "healthy".

"Growing older is a privilege and when we live the best we can, this is what is important," she added.

She argued that males are not subject to identical beauty standards, adding "people don't ask the age of famous men are - they simply are described as 'fantastic'."

She explained that became part of the motivation she entered the pageant's division for over-45s, in order to demonstrate that females of a certain age are still here" and "possess it".

Unfair Scrutiny

The author, a journalist of Welsh origin, commented that while the actor is "stunning" it was "irrelevant", noting she should be free to look as she wishes without her age coming under examination.

She said the digital criticism demonstrated that no female is "protected" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "perpetual story" that they are not good enough or young enough - a situation that is "galling, regardless of the person involved".

When asked if men face identical criticism, she said "absolutely not", adding females are targeted merely for demonstrating the "audacity" to be present online while growing older.

A Double Bind

Despite the beauty industry emphasizing "longevity", Hughes said females are still judged whether they aged without intervention or opted for procedures including cosmetic surgery or injectables.

"Should you grow older gracefully, others claim more could be done; when you have treatments, you are criticized for trying too hard," she remarked further.