Ladies Stand In Support of Catherine Zeta-Jones Amidst Criticism Over Age Criticism

There is a groundswell of support behind acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she faced disparaging remarks on social media over her appearance during a red carpet event.

Zeta-Jones attended a Netflix event in LA on 9 November where a social media clip discussing her character in the new series of Wednesday was eclipsed by comments about her appearance.

A Chorus of Defence

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, called the online criticism "complete nonsense", stating that "men aren't given this expiration date that women do".

"Men don't have this sell-by/use-by date that women do," stated Laura White.

Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, said in contrast to men, females are unfairly judged growing older and she ought to be free to look however she liked.

The Social Media Storm

During the interview, also shared to social media and had millions of views, the actor, who is from Swansea, discussed her enjoyment in portraying her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.

However a significant number of the numerous remarks zeroed in on her years and were critical towards her looks.

The negative remarks ignited a broad defence of the actor, such as a viral video from a social media user which said: "You bully women when they get treatments and attack them for not having sufficient procedures."

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

Others described her as "stunning" and "very attractive", with another adding that "she looks her age - that's called life."

Making a Point

She appeared on air recently with a bare face as a demonstration and to show there was no set "blueprint" for what a woman of a certain age should look like.

Similar to numerous females of her years, she stated she "looks after herself" not to look younger but in order to feel "better" and look "healthy".

"Growing older is a privilege and if we can live gracefully, that's what truly counts," she added.

She argued that men were not subject to identical beauty standards, adding "no-one questions the age of famous men might be - they only are described as 'wonderful'."

She said it was part of the motivation behind her participation in Miss Great Britain's category for over-45s, to "show that midlife women continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".

A Fundamental Problem

Hughes, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, said that although Zeta-Jones was "stunning" this is "irrelevant", adding she deserves to be able to look however she liked without her age facing scrutiny.

She stated 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 "galling, regardless of who the victim is".

When asked if men face equivalent judgment, she answered "not at all", adding women were attacked simply for demonstrating the "nerve" to exist on the internet while aging.

A No-Win Situation

Despite the beauty industry emphasizing "longevity", she commented women were still face criticism regardless of if they grow older gracefully or underwent treatments such as surgical procedures or fillers.

"If you age without intervention, people say you should do more; when you have procedures, people say you trying too hard," she remarked further.