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Females are uniting for Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she faced scrutiny online over her appearance during a industry event.

The actor was present at an industry gathering in Hollywood last month where a TikTok interview featuring her role in the latest the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed because of comments about her looks.

Widespread Backing

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "utter foolishness", stating that "men aren't given this expiration date which women face".

"Males escape such a timeline which women face," said Ms White.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, commented in contrast to men, females are criticized growing older and she ought to be at liberty to appear as she wishes.

Digital Backlash

During the interview, which was also posted on Facebook and had millions of views, the actor, originally from Wales, discussed the pleasure of portraying her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

Yet many of the hundreds of comments zeroed in on her age and were disparaging regarding her appearance.

The negative remarks ignited widespread defence for Zeta-Jones, including a widely-shared clip from a social media user which said: "There is criticism for females for having treatments and criticize them if they avoid enough."

Commenters also came to her defence, with one writing: "This is ageing naturally and she is gorgeous."

Many labelled her as "stunning" and "lovely", while someone else said that "she looks her age - that is life."

Making a Point

She appeared for her interview recently makeup-free to make a statement and to show the absence of a "template" of how a female of a certain age is supposed to look.

Like many women in her demographic, she explained she "looks after herself" not for a youthful appearance but to feel "well" and be "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a privilege and when we live as well as possible, that is what truly counts," she continued.

She argued that males are not subject to the same appearance ideals, stating "nobody scrutinizes the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they only appear 'great'."

Ms White noted this was part of the motivation for entering the pageant's division the classic category, to prove that women in midlife continue to exist" and "possess it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, a journalist from Wales, stated that although Zeta-Jones was "beautiful" this is "irrelevant", adding she ought to be at liberty to look in any way she chooses without her age facing scrutiny.

She said the digital criticism demonstrated no woman was "immune" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" that they are not good enough or young enough - a problem that is "infuriating, irrespective of who the victim is".

Asked if males encounter identical criticism, she said "no, never", noting women were criticized simply for showing "boldness" to exist on the internet while aging.

A No-Win Situation

Even with the wellness sector promoting "age-defiance", Hughes said women were still criticised regardless of if they grow older gracefully or opted for procedures like cosmetic surgery or injectables.

"When a woman ages naturally, commenters state more could be done; when you have work done, you are criticized for trying too hard," she concluded.