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Women are rallying behind Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she faced disparaging remarks online over her appearance at a recent industry appearance.

She appeared at a promotional function in Hollywood recently where a social media clip featuring her part in the latest Wednesday was eclipsed due to discussion about her appearance.

A Chorus of Defence

Laura White, 58, labelled the online criticism "complete nonsense", noting that "men aren't given this expiration date which women face".

"Men don't have such a timeline that women do," argued Ms White.

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, said unlike men, females are unfairly judged as they age and she ought to be free to appear however she liked.

The Social Media Storm

Within the clip, also shared to Facebook and attracted millions of views, the actor, who is from Swansea, discussed how much she enjoyed portraying her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

But many of the hundreds of comments zeroed in on her age and were disparaging towards her looks.

This criticism ignited significant support for Zeta-Jones, featuring a viral video from a social media user which said: "There is criticism for females for having too much work done and attack them when they don't have enough work."

Commenters also rallied in support, with one writing: "This is growing older naturally and she is beautiful."

Some called her as "beautiful" and "very attractive", while someone else said that "she looks her age - that is reality."

A Statement Arrival

The winner attended on air earlier with a bare face to make a statement and to demonstrate there was no set "template" of how a woman in midlife should look like.

Similar to numerous females of her years, she explained she "maintains her wellbeing" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "improved" and appear "in good health".

"Getting older represents an honour and if we can do it the best we can, that's what really matters," she continued.

Ms White stated that males are not subject to the same aesthetic benchmarks, noting "people don't ask the age of certain male celebrities might be - they only appear 'fantastic'."

She explained this was one of the reasons she entered the pageant's division for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that midlife women continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".

Unfair Scrutiny

The author, a journalist from Wales, commented that while Zeta-Jones was "gorgeous" it was "irrelevant", noting she deserves to be free to look however she liked free from her age coming under examination.

Hughes argued the social media vitriol showed not a single woman is "immune" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" suggesting they are insufficient or of the right age - a problem that is "infuriating, irrespective of the individual targeted".

When asked if men experience identical criticism, she answered "no, never", noting females are targeted merely for demonstrating the "audacity" to be present on the internet while aging.

A Double Bind

Despite the wellness sector emphasizing "youthful longevity", she commented women were still face criticism whether they aged gracefully or opted for procedures like surgical procedures or fillers.

"If you age naturally, others claim more could be done; when you have work done, people say you trying too hard," she remarked further.