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Females are uniting in defence of Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones following she faced scrutiny online regarding her looks at a recent industry function.

She appeared at a promotional function in LA recently where a TikTok interview about her role in the new series of Wednesday was eclipsed because of remarks about her age.

A Chorus of Defence

Laura White, 58, labelled the backlash "complete nonsense", noting that "men aren't given this expiration date which women face".

"Men are free from this expiration date which women face," argued the pageant winner.

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, said in contrast to men, females are unfairly judged as they age and she ought to be able to look in any way she chooses.

The Social Media Storm

During the interview, also shared to Facebook and attracted more than 2.5m views, the actor, originally from Swansea, talked about how much she enjoyed exploring her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

Yet a significant number of the online responses focused on her years and were disparaging towards her appearance.

The negative remarks triggered a broad defence for Zeta-Jones, featuring a viral video from a social media user which stated: "There is criticism for females when they get cosmetic procedures and attack them for not having sufficient procedures."

Commenters also spoke up for her, with one writing: "She is growing older naturally and she is beautiful."

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

A Statement Arrival

The winner attended at the studio recently with a bare face as a demonstration and to highlight the absence of a "template" for what a woman in her 50s is supposed to look.

Similar to numerous females of her years, she stated she "looks after herself" not to appear younger but so she feels "well" and look "healthy".

"Getting older represents a privilege and when we age gracefully, that is what really matters," she stated further.

She contended that males are not subject to identical beauty standards, stating "nobody scrutinizes the age of certain male celebrities are - they just are described as 'fantastic'."

Ms White noted it was one of the reasons behind her participation in the competition for over-45s, in order to demonstrate that women in midlife are still here" and "still have it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, commented that although the actor is "stunning" it was "irrelevant", noting she ought to be able to appear as she wishes without her age facing scrutiny.

Hughes argued the digital criticism proved that no female is "immune" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "perpetual story" which says they are insufficient or of the right age - an issue that is "galling, no matter the person involved".

Questioned on whether men experience the same scrutiny, she said "no, never", adding women were attacked merely for having the "nerve" to live online while growing older.

A Double Bind

Even with the beauty industry emphasizing "age-defiance", the author stated females are still judged if they age naturally or underwent treatments like surgical procedures or fillers.

"When a woman ages gracefully, others claim you ought to try harder; if you undergo work done, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she concluded.