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Females are uniting for acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones after she encountered criticism online over her looks following a industry function.

She appeared at an industry gathering in Hollywood recently during which an online segment about her part in season two of Wednesday became dominated due to remarks concerning her appearance.

A Chorus of Defence

Laura White, 58, called the negative reaction "utter foolishness", adding that "males escape this expiration date imposed on women".

"Males escape this expiration date that women do," stated Ms White.

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, commented differently from men, women were criticized growing older and she ought to be able to appear as she wishes.

The Social Media Storm

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

Yet a significant number of the numerous remarks centered on her age and were negative towards her appearance.

The online backlash triggered significant support for the actor, including a widely-shared clip from a social media user which declared: "There is criticism for females if they undergo treatments and bully them for not having sufficient procedures."

Commenters also rallied in support, as one put it: "She is growing older naturally and she looks beautiful."

Others described her as "beautiful" and "so pretty", with another adding that "she looks her age - that is reality."

Challenging Perceptions

She appeared at the studio recently without any makeup as a demonstration and to demonstrate the absence of a "template" for what a female in her 50s should look like.

As with others her age, she stated she "maintains her wellbeing" not to look younger but to feel "better" and be "in good health".

"Growing older is a gift and provided we live the best we can, that is what is important," she continued.

She contended that men aren't judged by the same aesthetic benchmarks, noting "no-one questions how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they simply appear 'fantastic'."

She said it was one of the reasons for entering the pageant's division for women over 45, to "show that midlife women continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, a journalist from Wales, stated that although Zeta-Jones was "stunning" it was "beside the point", adding she should be able to appear as she wishes without her years coming under examination.

Hughes argued the digital criticism proved that no female is "immune" and that women do not deserve the "perpetual story" that they are insufficient or of the right age - a situation that is "maddening, irrespective of the person involved".

When asked if men face equivalent judgment, she responded "absolutely not", noting females are attacked just for demonstrating the "audacity" to be present online as they age.

A Double Bind

Despite cosmetic companies emphasizing "age-defiance", Hughes said females are still judged regardless of if they grow older gracefully or opted for procedures such as surgical procedures or injectables.

"If you age naturally, people say you should do more; if you undergo treatments, people say you failing to age well," she concluded.