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There is a groundswell of support behind acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she encountered criticism on social media over her appearance during a industry event.

She appeared at an industry gathering in Los Angeles last month where a TikTok interview featuring her role in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed by remarks about her appearance.

A Chorus of Defence

Laura White, 58, called the backlash "utter foolishness", adding that "men aren't given this sell-by/use-by date which women face".

"Men don't have this sell-by/use-by date that women do," said Laura White.

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, said in contrast to men, women were unfairly judged as they age and the actor deserves to be at liberty to look as she wishes.

Online Reaction

During the interview, uploaded to social media and attracted more than 2.5m views, the actor, who is from Wales, talked about her enjoyment in delving into her part, Morticia Addams, in the latest season.

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

The online backlash sparked significant support of the actor, including a widely-shared clip from one Facebook user which stated: "People criticize women when they get too much work done and criticize them if they avoid enough work."

Commenters also spoke up for her, as one put it: "She is ageing naturally and she looks beautiful."

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

A Statement Arrival

Ms White arrived on air recently with a bare face as a demonstration and to highlight that there is no fixed "template" of how a woman of a certain age ought to appear.

Similar to numerous females of her years, she said she "takes care of herself" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "improved" and appear "vibrant".

"Ageing is a gift and provided we live gracefully, that's what really matters," she continued.

She argued that males are not judged by equivalent aesthetic benchmarks, adding "no-one questions the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they simply are described as 'wonderful'."

She explained that became one of the reasons she entered the competition for women over 45, to prove that midlife women continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".

Unfair Scrutiny

The author, a writer and commentator from Wales, said that while the actor is "gorgeous" this is "not the point", stating further she deserves to be at liberty to appear in any way she chooses absent her years coming under examination.

She said the digital criticism demonstrated that no female is "exempt" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" that they are not good enough or youthful enough - a problem that is "galling, irrespective of the individual targeted".

Questioned on whether males encounter identical criticism, she answered "no, never", explaining females are targeted merely for showing "nerve" to be present on the internet as they age.

A Double Bind

Even with cosmetic companies promoting "age-defiance", Hughes said women were still criticised if they age naturally or chose interventions including surgical procedures or injectables.

"Should you grow older naturally, others claim you ought to try harder; if you undergo work done, you are criticized for not aging gracefully enough," she concluded.