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Women are rallying behind Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by disparaging remarks across platforms over her looks during a high-profile appearance.

Zeta-Jones attended a promotional function in Los Angeles last month where a social media clip featuring her part in the new series of Wednesday was overshadowed because of discussion concerning her appearance.

Voices of Support

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, called the backlash "complete nonsense", noting that "men don't have this expiration date imposed on women".

"Males escape this expiration date that women do," stated the pageant winner.

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated in contrast to men, women were criticized growing older and Zeta-Jones should be at liberty to appear as she wishes.

Digital Backlash

In the video, which was also posted on social media and attracted millions of views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Swansea, spoke of her enjoyment in exploring her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

Yet many of the hundreds of comments centered on her age and were disparaging about her looks.

The online backlash sparked a broad defence of the actor, featuring a viral video from a social media user which declared: "There is criticism for females if they undergo cosmetic procedures and criticize them if they avoid enough."

Others also rallied in support, with one writing: "She is aging naturally and she appears stunning."

Some called her as "beautiful" and "lovely", and one comment read that "she appears her age - which is simply reality."

Challenging Perceptions

The winner attended for her interview recently makeup-free to "prove a point" and to demonstrate there was no set "template" for what a female in her 50s ought to appear.

Similar to numerous females in her demographic, she explained she "looks after herself" not for a youthful appearance but to feel "improved" and appear "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a gift and when we age as well as possible, that's what is important," she stated further.

Ms White stated that men were not held to equivalent appearance ideals, adding "no-one questions how old certain male celebrities are - they simply look 'fantastic'."

She explained that became part of the motivation for entering the pageant's division for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that midlife women continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".

Unfair Scrutiny

The author, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, commented that although Zeta-Jones was "beautiful" it was "irrelevant", noting she deserves to be able to look as she wishes without her age coming under examination.

She stated the social media vitriol showed that no female is "exempt" and that females should not face the "perpetual story" which says they are lacking or youthful enough - a problem that is "maddening, irrespective of who the victim is".

When asked if men face equivalent judgment, she said "not at all", noting females are targeted just for demonstrating the "boldness" to live online while growing older.

A No-Win Situation

Regardless of the beauty industry advocating for "age-defiance", the author stated women were still face criticism whether they aged naturally or chose interventions including cosmetic surgery or injections.

"If you age without intervention, commenters state more could be done; if you get work done, you're accused of not aging gracefully enough," she added.