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There is a groundswell of support for Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she encountered scrutiny online about her looks at a recent industry appearance.

The actor was present at an industry gathering in LA last month during which a social media clip featuring her role in the new series of Wednesday was eclipsed due to remarks about her appearance.

Voices of Support

Laura White, 58, described the negative reaction "utter foolishness", noting that "men aren't given this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women".

"Males escape this sell-by/use-by date which women face," said Laura White.

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, said unlike men, women were unfairly judged for ageing and Zeta-Jones should be free to look however she liked.

Digital Backlash

During the interview, also shared to social media and garnered millions of views, Zeta-Jones, who is from Mumbles, Swansea, talked about how much she enjoyed portraying her role, Morticia Addams, in season two.

However a large portion of the hundreds of comments focused on her age and were negative regarding her appearance.

The negative remarks sparked a broad defence of Zeta-Jones, featuring a viral video online which said: "People criticize females if they undergo too much work done and attack them when they don't have enough work."

Commenters also rallied in support, one stating: "It's called aging naturally and she is stunning."

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

Challenging Perceptions

She appeared for her interview recently with a bare face to make a statement and to highlight the absence of a "template" for what a female in her 50s ought to appear.

Like many women her age, she explained she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but so she feels "better" and appear "healthy".

"Getting older represents a gift and if we can live gracefully, that's what truly counts," she added.

She contended that men were not judged by identical appearance ideals, noting "nobody scrutinizes how old certain male celebrities might be - they only look 'great'."

Ms White noted it was one of the reasons she entered Miss Great Britain's category the classic category, in order to demonstrate that midlife women are still here" and "still have it".

A Fundamental Problem

Sali Hughes, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, commented that although the actor is "gorgeous" this is "not the point", stating further she deserves to be free to appear in any way she chooses free from her years being scrutinised.

Hughes argued the social media vitriol showed no woman was "protected" and that women do not deserve the "constant narrative" which says they are insufficient or youthful enough - a problem that is "infuriating, no matter the individual targeted".

Questioned on whether men face the same scrutiny, she said "not at all", adding females are targeted merely for showing "nerve" to live online while growing older.

A Double Bind

Even with the beauty industry promoting "age-defiance", she commented females are still criticised regardless of if they grow older without intervention or opted for procedures including surgical procedures or fillers.

"If you age gracefully, people say you ought to try harder; when you have procedures, you're accused of failing to age well," she added.