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Females are uniting for Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by scrutiny online regarding her appearance following a red carpet event.

She appeared at an industry gathering in Los Angeles recently where a TikTok interview about her character in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show became dominated because of comments about her age.

Widespread Backing

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "utter foolishness", adding that "males escape this expiration date that women do".

"Males escape this expiration date imposed on women," stated Ms White.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, commented unlike men, females are subject to unfair scrutiny growing older and she ought to be at liberty to appear as she wishes.

Online Reaction

During the interview, also shared to social media and attracted over 2.5 million views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Swansea, spoke of the pleasure of portraying her part, Morticia Addams, in season two.

Yet a large portion of the hundreds of comments focused on her age and were negative towards her looks.

The online backlash triggered a broad defence for Zeta-Jones, featuring a viral video from a social media user which declared: "You bully women when they get cosmetic procedures and criticize them when they don't have enough."

Others also came to her defence, with one writing: "She is growing older naturally and she looks stunning."

Many labelled her as "stunning" and "so pretty", while someone else said that "she appears her age - which is simply life."

Making a Point

She appeared on air recently with a bare face as a demonstration and to demonstrate there was no set "template" for what a woman in her 50s ought to appear.

Like many women in her demographic, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but so she feels "improved" and be "in good health".

"Getting older represents a gift and if we can age the best we can, that is what is important," she stated further.

She argued that males are not judged by identical beauty standards, adding "no-one questions how old certain male celebrities might be - they just appear 'fantastic'."

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

Unfair Scrutiny

The author, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, commented that although the actor is "gorgeous" that is "not the point", noting she ought to be able to appear as she wishes absent her age being scrutinised.

She said the social media vitriol showed that no female is "protected" and that women do not deserve the "constant narrative" that they are lacking or young enough - an issue that is "galling, no matter the person involved".

Asked if males encounter equivalent judgment, she answered "absolutely not", noting women were targeted simply for demonstrating the "boldness" to live online as they age.

A No-Win Situation

Even with cosmetic companies emphasizing "age-defiance", she commented women were still criticised regardless of if they grow older without intervention or opted for procedures such as cosmetic surgery or injections.

"If you age gracefully, commenters state more could be done; if you get treatments, people say you failing to age well," she added.