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Women are rallying for acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she encountered criticism across platforms regarding her looks during a industry function.

Zeta-Jones attended an industry gathering in LA recently where an online segment featuring her character in the latest the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed because of remarks focusing on her age.

Voices of Support

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, described the negative reaction "absolute rubbish", adding that "men aren't given such a timeline that women do".

"Men are free from this sell-by/use-by date that women do," said Laura White.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, stated unlike men, females are unfairly judged growing older and she ought to be at liberty to appear as she wishes.

Digital Backlash

During the interview, uploaded to Facebook and attracted millions of views, the actor, originally from Wales, talked about her enjoyment in delving into her role, Morticia Addams, in the latest season.

Yet many of the numerous remarks focused on her age and were negative towards her looks.

This criticism ignited a broad defence of the actor, featuring a popular post from one Facebook user which stated: "People criticize females for having too much work done and attack them when they don't have enough work."

Online users spoke up for her, one stating: "This is growing older naturally and she is stunning."

Many labelled her as "beautiful" and "so pretty", and one comment read that "she looks her age - which is simply the natural process."

Making a Point

The winner attended on air earlier with a bare face to make a statement and to show the absence of a "blueprint" of how a female of a certain age ought to appear.

Like many women her age, she stated she "maintains her wellbeing" not to look younger but in order to feel "well" and be "healthy".

"Growing older is an honour and when we age gracefully, that is what is important," she stated further.

She contended that men were not judged by the same aesthetic benchmarks, stating "no-one questions the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they simply look 'great'."

She said this was one of the reasons behind her participation in the competition for women over 45, to "show that females of a certain age remain relevant" and "possess it".

Unfair Scrutiny

The author, a journalist of Welsh origin, commented that although the actor is "gorgeous" it was "beside the point", stating further she deserves to be at liberty to appear as she wishes without her years coming under examination.

Hughes argued the online abuse demonstrated not a single woman is "exempt" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "constant narrative" that they are lacking or of the right age - a situation that is "infuriating, irrespective of the individual targeted".

When asked if men experience equivalent judgment, she said "absolutely not", explaining women were targeted merely for demonstrating the "audacity" to live on the internet while growing older.

An Impossible Standard

Regardless of the wellness sector emphasizing "youthful longevity", Hughes said females are still judged whether they aged gracefully or underwent treatments like cosmetic surgery or fillers.

"Should you grow older gracefully, commenters state more could be done; when you have work done, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she added.