Females are uniting in defence of acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by criticism across platforms over her appearance following a red carpet function.
She appeared at a Netflix event in LA recently during which an online segment featuring her role in the latest Wednesday became dominated due to remarks about her appearance.
Widespread Backing
This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, called the backlash "absolute rubbish", stating that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women".
"Males escape such a timeline which women face," said Laura White.
Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, commented differently from men, females are criticized growing older and Zeta-Jones should be able to look in any way she chooses.
The Social Media Storm
Within the clip, which was also posted on social media and garnered more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Swansea, talked about her enjoyment in portraying her role, Morticia Addams, in the latest season.
Yet many of the numerous remarks focused on her years and were negative regarding her looks.
The online backlash ignited a broad defence of Zeta-Jones, featuring a viral video from one Facebook user which declared: "There is criticism for women when they get cosmetic procedures and bully them for not having enough."
Online users spoke up for her, one stating: "This is ageing naturally and she is beautiful."
Some called her as "beautiful" and "lovely", and one comment read that "she looks her age - that's called life."
Making a Point
The winner attended for her interview recently without any makeup to "prove a point" and to show that there is no fixed "template" for what a woman of a certain age should look like.
Like many women her age, she said she "looks after herself" not for a youthful appearance but to feel "improved" and be "in good health".
"Growing older is a privilege and provided we live gracefully, that is what is important," she added.
She argued that males are not subject to identical beauty standards, adding "no-one questions how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they simply look 'great'."
She explained that became one of the reasons she entered the competition for over-45s, to prove that females of a certain age are still here" and "still have it".
A Fundamental Problem
The author, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, stated that although the actor is "stunning" this is "beside the point", stating further she ought to be able to look 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 "perpetual story" suggesting they are lacking or young enough - an issue that is "infuriating, no matter the individual targeted".
Questioned on whether males encounter equivalent judgment, she responded "not at all", explaining females are targeted just for having the "boldness" to exist on the internet as they age.
A Double Bind
Even with cosmetic companies promoting "longevity", the author stated women were still judged if they age without intervention or chose interventions like cosmetic surgery or injections.
"If you age without intervention, others claim you ought to try harder; when you have work done, people say you failing to age well," she concluded.
