Women Rally In Support of the Oscar-Winning Actor Amidst Age-Shaming Remarks

There is a groundswell of support behind acclaimed star Zeta-Jones following she encountered scrutiny across platforms regarding her looks during a high-profile function.

Zeta-Jones attended a promotional function in Hollywood recently where a social media clip featuring her part in the latest the 'Wednesday' show became dominated by remarks focusing on her appearance.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, described the online criticism "complete nonsense", stating that "males escape such a timeline imposed on women".

"Males escape such a timeline that women do," stated Laura White.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, said differently from men, females are subject to unfair scrutiny growing older and Zeta-Jones should be free to appear in any way she chooses.

Digital Backlash

Within the clip, also shared to social media and attracted more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, who is from Swansea, talked about the pleasure of delving into her role, Morticia Addams, in the new episodes.

Yet a significant number of the hundreds of comments zeroed in on her age and were critical towards her appearance.

The online backlash ignited widespread defence of Zeta-Jones, including a popular post online which stated: "You bully women when they get treatments and attack them when they don't have sufficient procedures."

Commenters also came to her defence, one stating: "This is growing older naturally and she appears beautiful."

Many labelled her as "beautiful" and "so pretty", while someone else said that "she looks her age - that is the natural process."

Making a Point

Ms White arrived for her interview recently without any makeup to "prove a point" and to highlight that there is no fixed "mold" for what a woman in midlife ought to appear.

As with others of her years, she said she "looks after herself" not to appear younger but so she feels "improved" and look "healthy".

"Getting older represents an honour and provided we do it as well as possible, that is what is important," she continued.

She contended that males are not held to the same appearance ideals, noting "people don't ask the age of famous men are - they just look 'great'."

Ms White noted that became one of the reasons she entered the pageant's division the classic category, to prove that midlife women are still here" and "still have it".

The Core Issue

The author, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, stated that although the actor is "stunning" that is "irrelevant", noting she should be free to appear however she liked free from her years being scrutinised.

Hughes argued the social media vitriol demonstrated no woman was "exempt" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" suggesting they are insufficient or youthful enough - a situation that is "infuriating, irrespective of the individual targeted".

Questioned on whether men face the same scrutiny, she said "no, never", explaining females are targeted simply for showing "boldness" to live on the internet while growing older.

An Impossible Standard

Even with the beauty industry promoting "longevity", Hughes said women were still judged if they age naturally or opted for procedures like surgical procedures or injectables.

"When a woman ages gracefully, commenters state you ought to try harder; if you undergo procedures, you are criticized for not aging gracefully enough," she concluded.