There is a groundswell of support for acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by scrutiny across platforms about her looks following a industry event.
Zeta-Jones attended an industry gathering in Hollywood last month where a social media clip about her part in the latest Wednesday became dominated because of comments concerning her age.
Voices of Support
This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, labelled the negative reaction "absolute rubbish", noting that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women".
"Males escape this sell-by/use-by date which women face," stated Ms White.
Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, said in contrast to men, women were criticized as they age and the actor deserves to be free to look in any way she chooses.
The Social Media Storm
Within the clip, uploaded to social media and had millions of views, the actor, originally from Mumbles, Swansea, discussed how much she enjoyed delving into her role, Morticia Addams, in season two.
Yet a significant number of the online responses zeroed in on her years and were disparaging about her looks.
The negative remarks triggered widespread defence for the actor, such as a widely-shared clip online which stated: "You bully women when they get treatments and attack them when they don't have enough."
Others also spoke up for her, one stating: "It's called ageing naturally and she looks gorgeous."
Many labelled her as "beautiful" and "so pretty", and one comment read that "her appearance reflects her years - that's called the natural process."
Making a Point
The winner attended for her interview earlier with a bare face to "prove a point" and to highlight there was no set "blueprint" for what a woman in her 50s ought to appear.
Like many women her age, she stated she "looks after herself" not to look younger but to feel "well" and look "healthy".
"Getting older represents an honour and when we age as well as possible, that is what really matters," she stated further.
She contended that males are not held to equivalent beauty standards, noting "people don't ask the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they just look 'fantastic'."
She explained it was a key factor for entering the pageant's division for women over 45, to prove that midlife women are still here" and "possess it".
A Fundamental Problem
Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, stated that while Zeta-Jones was "stunning" that is "not the point", noting she ought to be free to appear in any way she chooses absent her age facing scrutiny.
Hughes argued the social media vitriol demonstrated that no female is "exempt" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "ongoing theme" suggesting they are lacking or youthful enough - an issue that is "maddening, no matter the person involved".
Questioned on whether men experience equivalent judgment, she answered "not at all", explaining women were attacked merely for having the "boldness" to be present on social media while growing older.
An Impossible Standard
Despite the beauty industry promoting "longevity", the author stated females are still criticised regardless of if they grow older gracefully or underwent treatments like plastic surgery or injections.
"If you age gracefully, people say you should do more; if you get procedures, you're accused of failing to age well," she concluded.
