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Females are uniting in defence of acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by scrutiny online about her appearance following a industry appearance.

The actor was present at a promotional function in LA last month where an online segment featuring her character in season two of the 'Wednesday' show became dominated because of comments focusing on her appearance.

A Chorus of Defence

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "absolute rubbish", adding that "men aren't given this expiration date that women do".

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

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated differently from men, women were subject to unfair scrutiny growing older and the actor deserves to be able to appear as she wishes.

Online Reaction

In the video, which was also posted on Facebook and attracted more than 2.5m views, the actor, who is from Swansea, spoke of how much she enjoyed portraying her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

But a significant number of the hundreds of comments focused on her age and were critical regarding her looks.

This criticism ignited significant support of the actor, including a popular post online which said: "People criticize women when they get treatments and bully them for not having enough."

Others also rallied in support, with one writing: "This is aging naturally and she appears stunning."

Some called her as "stunning" and "so pretty", and one comment read that "she appears her age - that's called life."

Challenging Perceptions

Ms White arrived for her interview recently with a bare face to "prove a point" and to demonstrate that there is no fixed "mold" of how a woman of a certain age should look like.

As with others her age, she stated she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but to feel "better" and appear "vibrant".

"Ageing is a privilege and if we can do it the best we can, that is what is important," she added.

She argued that men were not judged by the same aesthetic benchmarks, noting "people don't ask how old certain male celebrities might be - they simply look 'great'."

Ms White noted that became one of the reasons behind her participation in the competition the classic category, to "show that women in midlife continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, commented that while the actor is "beautiful" it was "irrelevant", noting she ought to be at liberty to appear however she liked free from her age facing scrutiny.

She stated the social media vitriol demonstrated no woman was "exempt" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" suggesting they are not good enough or young enough - an issue that is "infuriating, irrespective of the individual targeted".

Asked if men experience equivalent judgment, she said "no, never", noting females are targeted merely for demonstrating the "audacity" to live on social media while growing older.

A Double Bind

Regardless of the beauty industry emphasizing "longevity", Hughes said females are still criticised if they age without intervention or opted for procedures such as cosmetic surgery or fillers.

"Should you grow older naturally, people say more could be done; when you have treatments, people say you failing to age well," she added.