🔗 Share this article

There is a groundswell of support behind acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by criticism on social media about her appearance following a high-profile appearance.

She appeared at a promotional function in Hollywood on 9 November where a social media clip about her character in the new series of Wednesday was eclipsed because of discussion concerning her age.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the negative reaction "complete nonsense", stating that "men don't have this expiration date that women do".

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

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated in contrast to men, women were criticized growing older and Zeta-Jones should be at liberty to appear however she liked.

Digital Backlash

Within the clip, uploaded to Facebook and attracted millions of views, the actor, who is from Wales, spoke of how much she enjoyed exploring her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.

Yet a large portion of the online responses centered on her years and were disparaging about her looks.

This criticism sparked widespread defence of the actor, including a viral video from a social media user which declared: "There is criticism for women if they undergo cosmetic procedures and criticize them for not having enough work."

Others also spoke up for her, one stating: "She is aging naturally and she is gorgeous."

Some called her as "gorgeous" and "lovely", with another adding that "she appears her age - that's called the natural process."

A Statement Arrival

The winner attended at the studio recently makeup-free to "prove a point" and to demonstrate there was no set "blueprint" of how a female in midlife should look like.

As with others of her years, she said she "looks after herself" not to look younger but to feel "better" and appear "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a privilege and when we do it gracefully, that is what truly counts," she stated further.

Ms White stated that males are not held to identical aesthetic benchmarks, noting "nobody scrutinizes the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they just look 'fantastic'."

She said that became part of the motivation behind her participation in the competition for women over 45, to prove that women in midlife remain relevant" and "possess it".

The Core Issue

Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, commented that although Zeta-Jones was "gorgeous" that is "beside the point", stating further she ought to be able to appear however she liked absent her age facing scrutiny.

She stated the online abuse demonstrated no woman was "immune" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" which says they are insufficient or young enough - an issue that is "maddening, regardless of who the victim is".

Questioned on whether men experience the same scrutiny, she responded "absolutely not", explaining women were targeted merely for showing "boldness" to exist online while aging.

A Double Bind

Even with the beauty industry promoting "youthful longevity", the author stated women were still judged if they age naturally or underwent treatments including cosmetic surgery or fillers.

"When a woman ages without intervention, others claim more could be done; when you have treatments, you are criticized for trying too hard," she concluded.