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Females are uniting in defence of acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones after she encountered criticism online about her looks following a industry function.

The actor was present at a Netflix event in Los Angeles on 9 November where an online segment featuring her character in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed because of remarks focusing on her age.

Widespread Backing

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, described the backlash "utter foolishness", noting that "men don't have this expiration date which women face".

"Men don't have this expiration date imposed on women," stated the pageant winner.

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, commented differently from men, women were criticized as they age and she ought to be at liberty to look as she wishes.

Online Reaction

During the interview, also shared to social media and attracted more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, originally from Mumbles, Swansea, spoke of how much she enjoyed portraying her role, Morticia Addams, in the new episodes.

However a significant number of the hundreds of comments focused on her years and were negative towards her looks.

This criticism triggered significant support for Zeta-Jones, including a popular post online which said: "There is criticism for females when they get treatments and bully them if they avoid enough work."

Online users came to her defence, one stating: "This is aging naturally and she appears beautiful."

Some called her as "stunning" and "very attractive", with another adding that "her appearance reflects her years - which is simply the natural process."

Making a Point

She appeared on air recently with a bare face to "prove a point" and to show that there is no fixed "mold" for what a female of a certain age is supposed to look.

As with others of her years, she explained she "looks after herself" not for a youthful appearance but so she feels "well" and look "healthy".

"Ageing is a privilege and when we live as well as possible, that is what is important," she continued.

Ms White stated that males are not judged by equivalent beauty standards, noting "no-one questions the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they simply are described as 'fantastic'."

She said this was one of the reasons behind her participation in the pageant's division the classic category, to "show that midlife women continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".

The Core Issue

Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, commented that although Zeta-Jones was "beautiful" it was "beside the point", stating further she deserves to be at liberty to appear however she liked without her age coming under examination.

She said the online abuse demonstrated that no female is "immune" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" that they are insufficient or of the right age - a situation that is "infuriating, irrespective of the person involved".

Asked if men face the same scrutiny, she answered "absolutely not", adding females are attacked simply for having the "boldness" to exist on social media while growing older.

A No-Win Situation

Despite the beauty industry emphasizing "longevity", Hughes said females are still judged regardless of if they grow older naturally or opted for procedures including cosmetic surgery or injectables.

"When a woman ages without intervention, others claim more could be done; if you get treatments, you're accused of trying too hard," she remarked further.