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There is a groundswell of support for Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by disparaging remarks on social media about her looks at a recent industry event.

The actor was present at an industry gathering in Hollywood recently during which a TikTok interview featuring her role in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed by comments about her age.

Voices of Support

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".

"Men don't have such a timeline which women face," stated Ms White.

Writer and commentator Sali Hughes, 50, said unlike men, women were criticized growing older and Zeta-Jones should be able to look as she wishes.

Digital Backlash

Within the clip, which was also posted on social media and garnered over 2.5 million views, the actor, originally from Swansea, discussed her enjoyment in exploring her role, Morticia Addams, in season two.

However a significant number of the online responses focused on her age and were critical regarding her looks.

The negative remarks triggered significant support for Zeta-Jones, such as a popular post online which declared: "There is criticism for females for having treatments and criticize them when they don't have enough."

Online users came to her defence, with one writing: "It's called aging naturally and she looks stunning."

Some called her as "stunning" and "so pretty", while someone else said that "she appears her age - that is life."

Making a Point

Ms White arrived for her interview recently with a bare face to "prove a point" and to highlight the absence of a "blueprint" for what a female in her 50s should look like.

Similar to numerous females her age, she explained she "maintains her wellbeing" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "well" and look "healthy".

"Ageing is an honour and when we age gracefully, that is what truly counts," she continued.

She argued that males are not judged by identical appearance ideals, noting "nobody scrutinizes how old famous men are - they only look 'wonderful'."

She explained it was one of the reasons behind her participation in the competition for over-45s, to "show that midlife women continue to exist" and "possess it".

A Fundamental Problem

The author, a journalist of Welsh origin, commented that although the actor is "beautiful" this is "beside the point", adding she deserves to be free to appear in any way she chooses without her age being scrutinised.

Hughes argued the social media vitriol proved that no female is "protected" and that women do not deserve the "constant narrative" that they are not good enough or youthful enough - a situation that is "infuriating, regardless of the individual targeted".

When asked if males encounter the same scrutiny, she said "not at all", explaining women were targeted simply for having the "audacity" to exist online while aging.

An Impossible Standard

Despite the wellness sector promoting "youthful longevity", Hughes said women were still judged regardless of if they grow older naturally or chose interventions such as plastic surgery or injectables.

"If you age naturally, others claim you ought to try harder; if you get treatments, you're accused of trying too hard," she concluded.