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Women are rallying behind acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she encountered criticism across platforms over her looks during a red carpet appearance.

She appeared at a promotional function in Hollywood last month during which a TikTok interview featuring her character in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed because of comments concerning her looks.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the negative reaction "absolute rubbish", stating that "men don't have such a timeline that women do".

"Men don't have such a timeline which women face," said the pageant winner.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, said unlike men, females are unfairly judged growing older and the actor deserves to be at liberty to look however she liked.

Digital Backlash

Within the clip, also shared to Facebook and had millions of views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Wales, discussed the pleasure of portraying her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.

Yet many of the hundreds of comments focused on her years and were negative regarding her looks.

The negative remarks sparked significant support for the actor, such as a viral video online which said: "There is criticism for women for having cosmetic procedures and attack them when they don't have enough work."

Online users came to her defence, with one writing: "She is growing older naturally and she is stunning."

Some called her as "gorgeous" and "so pretty", with another adding that "her appearance reflects her years - that is reality."

A Statement Arrival

Ms White arrived at the studio earlier without any makeup to make a statement and to demonstrate that there is no fixed "template" of how a woman in midlife should look like.

As with others her age, she said she "looks after herself" not to look younger but so she feels "better" and appear "in good health".

"Ageing is an honour and when we do it the best we can, this is what truly counts," she stated further.

She contended that men were not held to the same beauty standards, noting "nobody scrutinizes how old certain male celebrities are - they only are described as 'fantastic'."

Ms White noted that became one of the reasons she entered the pageant's division for women over 45, to "show that women in midlife are still here" and "retain their appeal".

The Core Issue

Sali Hughes, an author and presenter from Wales, stated that while Zeta-Jones was "stunning" it was "irrelevant", adding she ought to be at liberty to appear in any way she chooses free from her years facing scrutiny.

She stated the social media vitriol demonstrated not a single woman is "immune" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" which says they are lacking or young enough - a situation that is "infuriating, regardless of who the victim is".

When asked if men face identical criticism, she said "absolutely not", adding women were attacked simply for having the "audacity" to exist on the internet while aging.

An Impossible Standard

Despite cosmetic companies promoting "longevity", she commented women were still face criticism if they age naturally or chose interventions like plastic surgery or injectables.

"Should you grow older without intervention, others claim you should do more; if you get procedures, you're accused of failing to age well," she remarked further.