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There is a groundswell of support for Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by criticism on social media about her looks following a industry appearance.

Zeta-Jones attended a Netflix event in Hollywood on 9 November during which an online segment discussing her role in the new series of Wednesday became dominated because of discussion about her appearance.

Widespread Backing

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, called the online criticism "utter foolishness", adding that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women".

"Men are free from this expiration date that women do," stated Laura White.

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, said differently from men, women were criticized for ageing and the actor deserves to be able to look however she liked.

Online Reaction

In the video, which was also posted on Facebook and had millions of views, Zeta-Jones, who is from Swansea, spoke of how much she enjoyed delving into her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

Yet a large portion of the hundreds of comments centered on her age and were negative regarding her appearance.

The online backlash ignited a broad defence of Zeta-Jones, such as a widely-shared clip online which said: "People criticize females if they undergo cosmetic procedures and attack them when they don't have enough work."

Commenters also spoke up for her, with one writing: "She is growing older naturally and she is stunning."

Some called her as "stunning" and "lovely", with another adding that "her appearance reflects her years - which is simply life."

Challenging Perceptions

The winner attended on air recently with a bare face to "prove a point" and to demonstrate the absence of a "mold" of how a woman in her 50s ought to appear.

As with others her age, she explained she "maintains her wellbeing" not to look younger but in order to feel "well" and look "healthy".

"Growing older is a privilege and provided we do it as well as possible, that's what truly counts," she continued.

She contended that men aren't subject to equivalent appearance ideals, noting "nobody scrutinizes the age of famous men might be - they just look 'fantastic'."

Ms White noted that became one of the reasons for entering the pageant's division the classic category, to "show that women in midlife remain relevant" and "possess it".

Unfair Scrutiny

The author, a journalist from Wales, stated that while Zeta-Jones was "beautiful" it was "irrelevant", noting she should be able to appear as she wishes without her age facing scrutiny.

She said the online abuse proved not a single woman is "immune" and that women do not deserve the "constant narrative" which says they are not good enough or young enough - an issue that is "galling, no matter the person involved".

When asked if men experience the same scrutiny, she responded "not at all", adding women were targeted merely for demonstrating the "audacity" to live on the internet as they age.

A Double Bind

Even with cosmetic companies promoting "age-defiance", Hughes said females are still judged regardless of if they grow older gracefully or chose interventions including cosmetic surgery or injectables.

"When a woman ages without intervention, commenters state you should do more; when you have work done, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she remarked further.