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Women are rallying for acclaimed star Zeta-Jones following she encountered criticism online regarding her looks during a industry event.

The actor was present at a promotional function in Hollywood last month during which an online segment featuring her character in the latest Wednesday was overshadowed because of comments concerning her appearance.

A Chorus of Defence

Laura White, 58, called the negative reaction "complete nonsense", adding that "men don't have this expiration date imposed on women".

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

Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated unlike men, females are unfairly judged as they age and she ought to be free to look as she wishes.

Online Reaction

Within the clip, also shared to social media and garnered over 2.5 million views, the actor, hailing from Wales, discussed how much she enjoyed delving into her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.

However a significant number of the hundreds of comments centered on her age and were disparaging regarding her looks.

The online backlash ignited significant support of Zeta-Jones, including a popular post from one Facebook user which said: "People criticize women if they undergo too much work done and bully them if they avoid sufficient procedures."

Others also came to her defence, as one put it: "It's called ageing naturally and she appears gorgeous."

Some called her as "beautiful" and "very attractive", with another adding that "she appears her age - which is simply reality."

Challenging Perceptions

Ms White arrived at the studio earlier makeup-free as a demonstration and to demonstrate that there is no fixed "mold" of how a female of a certain age is supposed to look.

As with others her age, she explained she "maintains her wellbeing" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "well" and be "healthy".

"Ageing is a gift and when we do it gracefully, that is what is important," she stated further.

She argued that men aren't held to the same appearance ideals, stating "nobody scrutinizes how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they simply look 'great'."

Ms White noted this was one of the reasons behind her participation in the competition the classic category, to prove that midlife women continue to exist" and "possess it".

A Fundamental Problem

Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, said that while Zeta-Jones was "stunning" that is "beside the point", stating further she should be at liberty to appear however she liked absent her years coming under examination.

She said the online abuse demonstrated no woman was "protected" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "constant narrative" suggesting they are not good enough or youthful enough - a problem that is "infuriating, regardless of the person involved".

When asked if males encounter identical criticism, she responded "not at all", adding women were targeted merely for showing "audacity" to live on the internet while aging.

A Double Bind

Even with the wellness sector emphasizing "age-defiance", Hughes said females are still face criticism regardless of if they grow older gracefully or chose interventions like surgical procedures or injectables.

"Should you grow older gracefully, others claim you should do more; if you undergo work done, you're accused of failing to age well," she added.