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Women are rallying for acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she faced disparaging remarks across platforms regarding her looks following a red carpet event.

She appeared at an industry gathering in Hollywood on 9 November during which a social media clip about her role in season two of the 'Wednesday' show became dominated by discussion focusing on her appearance.

Widespread Backing

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, described the backlash "absolute rubbish", adding that "men don't have this sell-by/use-by date that women do".

"Men are free from this expiration date which women face," said Ms White.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, commented in contrast to men, women were subject to unfair scrutiny as they age and Zeta-Jones should be free to look however she liked.

Online Reaction

In the video, uploaded to social media and garnered millions of views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Wales, talked about how much she enjoyed exploring her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.

However a significant number of the numerous remarks centered on her years and were negative regarding her appearance.

The negative remarks sparked widespread defence of the actor, featuring a widely-shared clip online which declared: "You bully females if they undergo cosmetic procedures and criticize them for not having enough work."

Others also rallied in support, one stating: "This is growing older naturally and she appears gorgeous."

Many labelled her as "beautiful" and "lovely", while someone else said that "her appearance reflects her years - which is simply life."

Challenging Perceptions

Ms White arrived on air recently with a bare face to "prove a point" and to highlight there was no set "template" for what a woman in her 50s should look like.

Like many women in her demographic, she stated she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but in order to feel "improved" and appear "vibrant".

"Ageing is an honour and if we can live as well as possible, that is what really matters," she stated further.

She argued that men aren't judged by equivalent appearance ideals, stating "people don't ask the age of certain male celebrities are - they only appear 'wonderful'."

Ms White noted this was one of the reasons for entering the competition the classic category, to "show that women in midlife continue to exist" and "still have it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Sali Hughes, a journalist from Wales, stated that although the actor is "gorgeous" that is "irrelevant", adding she deserves to be free to look as she wishes without her age coming under examination.

She said the online abuse demonstrated no woman was "exempt" and that women do not deserve the "constant narrative" suggesting they are insufficient or youthful enough - an issue that is "galling, no matter who the victim is".

Questioned on whether men experience equivalent judgment, she answered "no, never", adding women were attacked just for demonstrating the "nerve" to be present on social media as they age.

An Impossible Standard

Regardless of the wellness sector advocating for "youthful longevity", the author stated women were still judged whether they aged naturally or chose interventions including surgical procedures or injections.

"If you age gracefully, others claim more could be done; when you have treatments, people say you trying too hard," she added.