🔗 Share this article Ladies Stand Behind Catherine Zeta-Jones Following Age-Related Criticism Acclaimed star Zeta-Jones faced criticism about her appearance at an industry FYC event last month. There is a groundswell of support for Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones following she encountered scrutiny across platforms regarding her appearance at a recent industry event. She appeared at a Netflix event in Hollywood on 9 November where a social media clip about her role in the new series of Wednesday was eclipsed due to comments concerning her appearance. Voices of Support Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the negative reaction "utter foolishness", stating that "men don't have this expiration date which women face". "Men don't have this sell-by/use-by date that women do," stated Laura White. Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated differently from men, women were subject to unfair scrutiny growing older and Zeta-Jones should be free to appear in any way she chooses. Digital Backlash During the interview, which was also posted on Facebook and attracted millions of views, the actor, who is from Swansea, spoke of her enjoyment in delving into her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes. However a significant number of the hundreds of comments centered on her age and were disparaging about her appearance. This criticism triggered a broad defence of the actor, featuring a popular post from one Facebook user which declared: "You bully females when they get too much work done and bully them if they avoid enough work." Online users came to her defence, as one put it: "She is ageing naturally and she is stunning." Others described her as "stunning" and "lovely", and one comment read that "she looks her age - which is simply reality." A Statement Arrival Laura White arrived without cosmetics for her interview as a demonstration. She appeared for her interview earlier with a bare face as a demonstration and to highlight the absence of a "blueprint" of how a woman of a certain age should look like. As with others her age, she explained she "maintains her wellbeing" not for a youthful appearance but to feel "better" and appear "healthy". "Growing older is an honour and if we can do it as well as possible, this is what really matters," she added. She argued that men were not held to identical beauty standards, stating "nobody scrutinizes how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they simply appear 'great'." Ms White noted that became a key factor behind her participation in Miss Great Britain's category the classic category, to prove that midlife women continue to exist" and "retain their appeal". A Fundamental Problem From Wales beauty writer Hughes says females are often and harshly criticized as they grow older. Sali Hughes, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, commented that while the actor is "beautiful" this is "beside the point", adding she should be free to appear as she wishes without her age facing scrutiny. She stated the social media vitriol proved not a single woman is "protected" and that females should not face the "ongoing theme" suggesting they are insufficient or of the right age - an issue that is "maddening, no matter the person involved". Questioned on whether males encounter equivalent judgment, she said "absolutely not", explaining women were attacked simply for showing "audacity" to exist on the internet while aging. A No-Win Situation Despite the beauty industry promoting "youthful longevity", the author stated females are still criticised if they age naturally or underwent treatments like surgical procedures or injectables. "When a woman ages without intervention, commenters state more could be done; when you have treatments, you're accused of trying too hard," she remarked further.