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Females are uniting behind Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she encountered scrutiny online regarding her looks following a high-profile function.

The actor was present at an industry gathering in Los Angeles on 9 November during which a TikTok interview about her character in the latest the 'Wednesday' show became dominated by comments about her looks.

Widespread Backing

Laura White, 58, labelled the negative reaction "utter foolishness", adding that "men aren't given such a timeline that women do".

"Men don't have such a timeline that women do," said Laura White.

Writer and commentator Sali Hughes, 50, stated unlike men, women were unfairly judged growing older and Zeta-Jones should be at liberty to appear as she wishes.

The Social Media Storm

In the video, uploaded to social media and had millions of views, Zeta-Jones, originally from Wales, discussed her enjoyment in exploring her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.

But many of the hundreds of comments zeroed in on her years and were critical towards her appearance.

The negative remarks sparked a broad defence of the actor, including a widely-shared clip from a social media user which stated: "People criticize females if they undergo cosmetic procedures and attack them for not having sufficient procedures."

Others also spoke up for her, one stating: "This is growing older naturally and she is beautiful."

Others described her as "stunning" and "very attractive", while someone else said that "she looks her age - that is the natural process."

A Statement Arrival

She appeared at the studio earlier with a bare face as a demonstration and to demonstrate that there is no fixed "blueprint" of how a female in her 50s is supposed to look.

As with others her age, she said she "looks after herself" not to appear younger but so she feels "well" and be "vibrant".

"Getting older represents an honour and if we can live the best we can, that is what is important," she added.

She argued that males are not subject to equivalent appearance ideals, noting "people don't ask the age of famous men are - they simply are described as 'great'."

She said it was a key factor she entered Miss Great Britain's category for over-45s, to prove that women in midlife continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".

Unfair Scrutiny

The author, a journalist from Wales, said that although the actor is "gorgeous" it was "not the point", stating further she deserves to be able to look however she liked absent her years coming under examination.

She said the digital criticism demonstrated not a single woman is "immune" and that females should not face the "perpetual story" that they are lacking or young enough - a problem that is "galling, regardless of who the victim is".

When asked if males encounter identical criticism, she answered "absolutely not", explaining women were targeted simply for demonstrating the "nerve" to live on social media while aging.

A Double Bind

Despite cosmetic companies promoting "longevity", Hughes said females are still face criticism regardless of if they grow older gracefully or chose interventions like plastic surgery or injectables.

"When a woman ages gracefully, others claim more could be done; if you undergo work done, people say you failing to age well," she added.