Women Rally Behind Catherine Zeta-Jones Amidst Age-Related Criticism

Women are rallying behind acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she faced disparaging remarks online regarding her appearance at a recent red carpet appearance.

The actor was present at a promotional function in LA last month during which a TikTok interview discussing her role in the latest the 'Wednesday' show became dominated by remarks concerning her appearance.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, described the online criticism "absolute rubbish", noting that "men aren't given this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women".

"Males escape such a timeline imposed on women," argued Ms White.

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated in contrast to men, females are subject to unfair scrutiny for ageing and the actor deserves to be at liberty to appear however she liked.

Digital Backlash

In the video, which was also posted on social media and attracted over 2.5 million views, the actor, hailing from Wales, talked about the pleasure of delving into her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.

But a large portion of the online responses centered on her age and were critical about her looks.

The online backlash sparked a broad defence of Zeta-Jones, such as a popular post from one Facebook user which said: "People criticize females for having cosmetic procedures and criticize them if they avoid enough."

Online users came to her defence, one stating: "This is aging naturally and she is stunning."

Some called her as "gorgeous" and "so pretty", and one comment read that "she looks her age - that's called the natural process."

Making a Point

The winner attended at the studio earlier makeup-free to "prove a point" and to demonstrate that there is no fixed "template" for what a woman in her 50s should look like.

Like many women her age, she stated she "takes care of herself" not for a youthful appearance but to feel "improved" and look "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a gift and if we can live the best we can, that's what truly counts," she continued.

She argued that men aren't held to identical appearance ideals, adding "no-one questions the age of certain male celebrities might be - they just are described as 'wonderful'."

She said this was part of the motivation for entering Miss Great Britain's category the classic category, to prove that midlife women remain relevant" and "possess it".

The Core Issue

The author, a writer and commentator from Wales, said that although the actor is "stunning" it was "not the point", stating further she deserves to be free to appear however she liked without her age being scrutinised.

Hughes argued the digital criticism demonstrated not a single woman is "protected" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "ongoing theme" which says they are lacking or youthful enough - a problem that is "galling, no matter the person involved".

When asked if men experience identical criticism, she responded "not at all", adding females are targeted just for demonstrating the "audacity" to live online as they age.

An Impossible Standard

Regardless of cosmetic companies advocating for "longevity", the author stated women were still face criticism regardless of if they grow older without intervention or underwent treatments such as plastic surgery or injections.

"When a woman ages naturally, others claim you should do more; if you get treatments, you are criticized for failing to age well," she concluded.