Women Rally In Support of the Oscar-Winning Actor Amidst Criticism Over Age Comments

Females are uniting behind acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she faced criticism on social media over her looks during a high-profile event.

Zeta-Jones attended a Netflix event in Los Angeles last month where a TikTok interview about her role in season two of Wednesday was eclipsed due to comments about her appearance.

Widespread Backing

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, called the backlash "complete nonsense", noting that "men aren't given this sell-by/use-by date that women do".

"Men don't have this sell-by/use-by date which women face," said Ms White.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, commented in contrast to men, women were criticized growing older and she ought to be able to appear in any way she chooses.

Digital Backlash

During the interview, which was also posted on Facebook and had more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, originally from Swansea, discussed the pleasure of delving into her role, Morticia Addams, in the new episodes.

Yet a significant number of the hundreds of comments centered on her years and were critical regarding her appearance.

This criticism triggered widespread defence of Zeta-Jones, including a popular post online which said: "There is criticism for women when they get cosmetic procedures and criticize them for not having enough work."

Commenters also spoke up for her, as one put it: "She is ageing naturally and she appears stunning."

Some called her as "stunning" and "lovely", and one comment read that "she appears her age - that's called life."

Challenging Perceptions

The winner attended for her interview earlier with a bare face to make a statement and to highlight the absence of a "template" for what a female of a certain age ought to appear.

As with others her age, she explained she "looks after herself" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "well" and appear "vibrant".

"Growing older is a privilege and provided we age as well as possible, that's what really matters," she continued.

She contended that males are not judged by identical appearance ideals, stating "people don't ask the age of certain male celebrities are - they only are described as 'fantastic'."

She explained this was a key factor she entered Miss Great Britain's category for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that midlife women are still here" and "still have it".

The Core Issue

Sali Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, said that while the actor is "beautiful" that is "not the point", noting she deserves to be free to look as she wishes absent her age coming under examination.

She stated the digital criticism proved that no female is "protected" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" that they are lacking or youthful enough - an issue that is "infuriating, irrespective of who the victim is".

Questioned on whether men face equivalent judgment, she answered "no, never", noting females are attacked simply for having the "audacity" to exist online while aging.

A Double Bind

Even with cosmetic companies promoting "longevity", Hughes said females are still judged regardless of if they grow older without intervention or underwent treatments like cosmetic surgery or fillers.

"When a woman ages gracefully, commenters state more could be done; if you get procedures, you're accused of trying too hard," she remarked further.