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Females are uniting for Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by criticism across platforms regarding her looks during a red carpet appearance.

She appeared at an industry gathering in LA on 9 November during which a social media clip about her character in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed due to remarks focusing on her appearance.

A Chorus of Defence

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the backlash "complete nonsense", stating that "men don't have such a timeline imposed on women".

"Men are free from this sell-by/use-by date that women do," argued the pageant winner.

Writer and commentator Sali Hughes, 50, commented differently from men, women were subject to unfair scrutiny for ageing and the actor deserves to be free to appear as she wishes.

Digital Backlash

During the interview, also shared to Facebook and had over 2.5 million views, the actor, originally from Mumbles, Swansea, discussed how much she enjoyed portraying her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

But a significant number of the online responses zeroed in on her age and were critical regarding her looks.

This criticism sparked significant support for Zeta-Jones, featuring a widely-shared clip from a social media user which said: "There is criticism for females when they get too much work done and bully them for not having enough work."

Online users came to her defence, one stating: "She is growing older naturally and she looks stunning."

Many labelled her as "gorgeous" and "lovely", with another adding that "she looks her age - which is simply the natural process."

Challenging Perceptions

Ms White arrived on air earlier with a bare face to "prove a point" and to show that there is no fixed "template" of how a female in midlife is supposed to look.

Similar to numerous females in her demographic, she stated she "takes care of herself" not to look younger but so she feels "improved" and be "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a gift and if we can age as well as possible, that is what is important," she stated further.

She argued that men were not judged by the same appearance ideals, stating "nobody scrutinizes the age of famous men are - they simply look 'great'."

She said it was a key factor behind her participation in Miss Great Britain's category for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that females of a certain age continue to exist" and "still have it".

A Fundamental Problem

The author, a writer and commentator from Wales, said that although the actor is "beautiful" this is "beside the point", noting she should be free to appear as she wishes without her age being scrutinised.

Hughes argued the digital criticism proved not a single woman is "exempt" and that females should not face the "ongoing theme" suggesting they are not good enough or young enough - an issue that is "infuriating, regardless of the individual targeted".

When asked if males encounter equivalent judgment, she answered "absolutely not", adding females are attacked simply for demonstrating the "boldness" to exist on social media while growing older.

A Double Bind

Despite cosmetic companies promoting "longevity", she commented females are still judged whether they aged naturally or opted for procedures including plastic surgery or injectables.

"When a woman ages naturally, others claim more could be done; when you have treatments, people say you trying too hard," she remarked further.