🔗 Share this article

Females are uniting for acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by criticism across platforms regarding her looks following a high-profile event.

The actor was present at a Netflix event in LA recently where an online segment featuring her part in the new series of Wednesday was eclipsed because of remarks concerning her appearance.

Widespread Backing

Laura White, 58, called the backlash "absolute rubbish", adding that "men don't have such a timeline imposed on women".

"Males escape this expiration date which women face," said Ms White.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, commented in contrast to men, females are subject to unfair scrutiny as they age and Zeta-Jones should be at liberty to appear in any way she chooses.

The Social Media Storm

During the interview, which was also posted on Facebook and attracted over 2.5 million views, the actor, hailing from Mumbles, Swansea, talked about the pleasure of exploring her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.

Yet a large portion of the online responses focused on her years and were critical regarding her looks.

This criticism ignited a broad defence of Zeta-Jones, including a widely-shared clip from one Facebook user which said: "There is criticism for women for having treatments and criticize them if they avoid enough."

Online users spoke up for her, as one put it: "It's called ageing naturally and she appears stunning."

Some called her as "beautiful" and "so pretty", with another adding that "her appearance reflects her years - which is simply reality."

Challenging Perceptions

Ms White arrived for her interview earlier without any makeup to "prove a point" and to highlight that there is no fixed "template" for what a female in her 50s is supposed to look.

Like many women in her demographic, she said she "looks after herself" not for a youthful appearance but so she feels "improved" and look "in good health".

"Growing older is a gift and provided we age gracefully, that's what really matters," she continued.

She argued that men were not subject to the same appearance ideals, noting "no-one questions the age of famous men might be - they simply appear 'fantastic'."

Ms White noted this was a key factor for entering Miss Great Britain's category the classic category, to "show that females of a certain age continue to exist" and "still have it".

The Core Issue

Hughes, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, stated that while the actor is "beautiful" that is "irrelevant", stating further she should be able to appear as she wishes without her years being scrutinised.

Hughes argued the online abuse proved no woman was "exempt" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "constant narrative" that they are lacking or youthful enough - a problem that is "galling, no matter the individual targeted".

Asked if men face equivalent judgment, she responded "not at all", noting women were targeted simply for having the "audacity" to live on the internet while aging.

A Double Bind

Even with the beauty industry advocating for "age-defiance", Hughes said females are still judged if they age naturally or opted for procedures like plastic surgery or injections.

"If you age without intervention, people say you should do more; if you get treatments, you're accused of not aging gracefully enough," she remarked further.