🔗 Share this article

Females are uniting behind Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she faced scrutiny across platforms about her looks at a recent red carpet event.

She appeared at an industry gathering in Los Angeles last month where an online segment discussing her part in the latest the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed by comments focusing on her looks.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the backlash "utter foolishness", stating that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date which women face".

"Males escape such a timeline that women do," said Ms White.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, stated in contrast to men, women were criticized for ageing and she ought to be free to look however she liked.

The Social Media Storm

In the video, also shared to social media and garnered over 2.5 million views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Wales, spoke of the pleasure of delving into her part, Morticia Addams, in the new episodes.

However a significant number of the numerous remarks centered on her age and were negative towards her looks.

This criticism ignited a broad defence of the actor, such as a widely-shared clip online which stated: "There is criticism for females when they get too much work done and bully them for not having enough."

Online users spoke up for her, one stating: "She is aging naturally and she appears stunning."

Some called her as "stunning" and "so pretty", while someone else said that "she looks her age - which is simply the natural process."

A Statement Arrival

She appeared on air recently with a bare face to make a statement and to highlight that there is no fixed "mold" for what a female in midlife ought to appear.

As with others her age, she said she "takes care of herself" not to look younger but to feel "improved" and appear "in good health".

"Growing older is a gift and provided we age the best we can, that's what is important," she stated further.

She contended that males are not subject to identical appearance ideals, noting "people don't ask the age of famous men might be - they just look 'great'."

She explained this was one of the reasons behind her participation in the pageant's division for women over 45, to prove that women in midlife continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".

The Core Issue

Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, stated that although Zeta-Jones was "beautiful" this is "not the point", noting she deserves to be free to look however she liked without her age coming under examination.

Hughes argued the digital criticism showed not a single woman is "immune" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "ongoing theme" suggesting they are lacking or young enough - an issue that is "maddening, irrespective of the person involved".

When asked if men face equivalent judgment, she said "not at all", adding women were criticized merely for having the "boldness" to live on social media while aging.

A No-Win Situation

Regardless of the beauty industry advocating for "longevity", Hughes said females are still face criticism whether they aged naturally or underwent treatments including plastic surgery or fillers.

"When a woman ages without intervention, others claim you ought to try harder; if you undergo treatments, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she remarked further.