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Women are rallying in defence of Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by scrutiny on social media over her looks at a recent red carpet function.

The actor was present at a Netflix event in Los Angeles last month during which an online segment featuring her part in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed because of discussion focusing on her age.

Voices of Support

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the backlash "complete nonsense", adding that "men aren't given such a timeline that women do".

"Males escape this expiration date imposed on women," stated the pageant winner.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, stated differently from men, women were subject to unfair scrutiny for ageing and she ought to be free to look in any way she chooses.

Digital Backlash

During the interview, which was also posted on social media and attracted over 2.5 million views, the actor, originally from Wales, discussed the pleasure of exploring her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

However many of the hundreds of comments centered on her years and were negative regarding her appearance.

This criticism ignited widespread defence of Zeta-Jones, including a viral video online which declared: "There is criticism for females when they get treatments and attack them for not having enough work."

Commenters also came to her defence, one stating: "This is growing older naturally and she looks gorgeous."

Others described her as "stunning" and "very attractive", with another adding that "she appears her age - that is reality."

Making a Point

The winner attended on air recently without any makeup to "prove a point" and to highlight that there is no fixed "mold" of how a female in her 50s is supposed to look.

Similar to numerous females of her years, she stated she "takes care of herself" not to look younger but to feel "improved" and appear "in good health".

"Growing older is a gift and if we can do it as well as possible, this is what truly counts," she stated further.

She argued that men were not held to identical beauty standards, stating "people don't ask how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they simply are described as 'wonderful'."

Ms White noted this was a key factor for entering the competition for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that women in midlife are still here" and "retain their appeal".

A Fundamental Problem

Sali Hughes, a writer and commentator from Wales, stated that although the actor is "gorgeous" this is "beside the point", noting she deserves to be able to look in any way she chooses 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 "ongoing theme" which says they are insufficient or of the right age - an issue that is "infuriating, irrespective of the person involved".

Asked if males encounter identical criticism, she answered "not at all", noting females are targeted merely for showing "nerve" to live on the internet while growing older.

A No-Win Situation

Even with the beauty industry advocating for "youthful longevity", Hughes said women were still criticised if they age gracefully or chose interventions such as plastic surgery or injectables.

"When a woman ages naturally, commenters state you ought to try harder; if you get treatments, you're accused of failing to age well," she remarked further.