Women are rallying in defence of Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by scrutiny online over her looks at a recent high-profile appearance.
Zeta-Jones attended a promotional function in Hollywood recently during which a social media clip about her role in the latest Wednesday was overshadowed by comments concerning her looks.
Laura White, 58, called the backlash "utter foolishness", noting that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date that women do".
"Males escape this sell-by/use-by date which women face," argued Laura White.
Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated in contrast to men, females are subject to unfair scrutiny as they age and Zeta-Jones should be free to appear in any way she chooses.
During the interview, also shared to Facebook and had over 2.5 million views, Zeta-Jones, who is from Wales, talked about her enjoyment in portraying her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.
However many of the online responses zeroed in on her years and were critical regarding her appearance.
The negative remarks triggered a broad defence for the actor, such as a widely-shared clip from a social media user which stated: "People criticize women if they undergo too much work done and attack them for not having sufficient procedures."
Commenters also rallied in support, with one writing: "She is aging naturally and she appears stunning."
Some called her as "gorgeous" and "so pretty", with another adding that "she appears her age - that's called life."
Ms White arrived on air earlier with a bare face as a demonstration and to show there was no set "blueprint" for what a woman in midlife should look like.
As with others her age, she explained she "maintains her wellbeing" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "better" and appear "healthy".
"Getting older represents a gift and provided we live as well as possible, that's what truly counts," she added.
She argued that males are not held to the same aesthetic benchmarks, stating "no-one questions the age of certain male celebrities are - they simply are described as 'fantastic'."
Ms White noted it was one of the reasons for entering the pageant's division the classic category, to "show that females of a certain age are still here" and "retain their appeal".
Sali Hughes, a journalist from Wales, stated that although the actor is "gorgeous" that is "beside the point", noting she ought to be able to look in any way she chooses absent her years being scrutinised.
Hughes argued the digital criticism demonstrated not a single woman is "protected" and that females should not face the "perpetual story" suggesting they are lacking or of the right age - a situation that is "maddening, irrespective of who the victim is".
When asked if males encounter equivalent judgment, she said "not at all", noting women were attacked merely for showing "audacity" to live on the internet while aging.
Despite cosmetic companies emphasizing "age-defiance", the author stated women were still face criticism whether they aged without intervention or chose interventions including cosmetic surgery or injections.
"If you age naturally, others claim more could be done; if you get treatments, people say you trying too hard," she concluded.
