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Women are rallying behind acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she faced disparaging remarks on social media about her appearance during a red carpet event.

Zeta-Jones attended an industry gathering in Los Angeles recently during which a social media clip featuring her character in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed because of discussion concerning her age.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "utter foolishness", adding that "males escape this expiration date imposed on women".

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

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, said differently from men, women were subject to unfair scrutiny as they age and Zeta-Jones should be able to appear in any way she chooses.

Online Reaction

During the interview, also shared to Facebook and attracted more than 2.5m views, the actor, hailing from Swansea, spoke of the pleasure of delving into her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.

However many of the hundreds of comments centered on her age and were disparaging regarding her looks.

This criticism ignited significant support of the actor, including a widely-shared clip from a social media user which declared: "You bully females when they get too much work done and attack them when they don't have enough work."

Commenters also came to her defence, with one writing: "She is aging naturally and she looks beautiful."

Some called her as "stunning" and "very attractive", and one comment read that "she appears her age - that is life."

Challenging Perceptions

She appeared on air earlier without any makeup to make a statement and to show that there is no fixed "template" of how a woman in midlife is supposed to look.

As with others her age, she said she "looks after herself" not for a youthful appearance but so she feels "improved" and look "healthy".

"Ageing is an honour and provided we live as well as possible, that is what really matters," she continued.

She argued that men aren't judged by equivalent beauty standards, noting "no-one questions how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they only appear 'great'."

Ms White noted that became a key factor behind her participation in Miss Great Britain's category for women over 45, to prove that midlife women continue to exist" and "possess it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, a writer and commentator from Wales, said that although Zeta-Jones was "gorgeous" it was "irrelevant", adding she should be free to look however she liked absent her age facing scrutiny.

She said the online abuse proved not a single woman is "immune" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "constant narrative" which says they are insufficient or of the right age - a situation that is "galling, irrespective of who the victim is".

When asked if men experience equivalent judgment, she responded "not at all", noting women were targeted just for demonstrating the "boldness" to be present on the internet while growing older.

A Double Bind

Regardless of the wellness sector promoting "age-defiance", Hughes said females are still criticised if they age naturally or underwent treatments such as cosmetic surgery or fillers.

"If you age gracefully, people say you should do more; when you have treatments, people say you trying too hard," she remarked further.