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Females are uniting for Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones after she encountered criticism across platforms about her looks during a red carpet appearance.

She appeared at an industry gathering in LA on 9 November where a social media clip featuring her role in the latest Wednesday became dominated because of discussion focusing on her looks.

Voices of Support

Laura White, 58, called the negative reaction "complete nonsense", stating that "men don't have this sell-by/use-by date that women do".

"Men don't have this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women," argued the pageant winner.

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated unlike men, females are criticized for ageing and Zeta-Jones should be able to look however she liked.

Online Reaction

Within the clip, which was also posted on Facebook and attracted more than 2.5m views, the actor, originally from Swansea, talked about her enjoyment in exploring her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.

Yet many of the hundreds of comments focused on her age and were negative about her looks.

The online backlash ignited significant support for Zeta-Jones, featuring a popular post online which stated: "You bully females for having cosmetic procedures and criticize them if they avoid sufficient procedures."

Commenters also spoke up for her, as one put it: "She is ageing naturally and she looks gorgeous."

Some called her as "stunning" and "lovely", while someone else said that "she looks her age - that is the natural process."

A Statement Arrival

Ms White arrived for her interview earlier without any makeup as a demonstration and to demonstrate that there is no fixed "template" of how a female in midlife ought to appear.

As with others of her years, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not to look younger but in order to feel "improved" and look "vibrant".

"Ageing is an honour and if we can age the best we can, that is what is important," she stated further.

She argued that males are not judged by identical aesthetic benchmarks, adding "people don't ask how old famous men are - they just appear 'great'."

She explained it was part of the motivation she entered the competition for women over 45, to "show that women in midlife remain relevant" and "still have it".

A Fundamental Problem

Sali Hughes, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, said that while the actor is "beautiful" that is "not the point", stating further she should be at liberty to appear in any way she chooses free from her years being scrutinised.

Hughes argued the online abuse proved not a single woman is "protected" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "ongoing theme" suggesting they are not good enough or youthful enough - a problem that is "infuriating, irrespective of the individual targeted".

Questioned on whether men face equivalent judgment, she responded "not at all", adding women were criticized just for having the "nerve" to exist on social media while aging.

An Impossible Standard

Even with the wellness sector promoting "youthful longevity", the author stated females are still judged if they age without intervention or underwent treatments including surgical procedures or injections.

"When a woman ages gracefully, commenters state you should do more; if you get treatments, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she remarked further.