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Females are uniting in defence of Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by disparaging remarks across platforms about her looks during a industry appearance.

The actor was present at a promotional function in Hollywood on 9 November during which a social media clip discussing her character in the latest the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed due to discussion concerning her looks.

Voices of Support

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, described the online criticism "utter foolishness", adding that "men don't have this sell-by/use-by date which women face".

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

Writer and commentator Sali Hughes, 50, commented differently from men, women were criticized as they age and she ought to be at liberty to look in any way she chooses.

The Social Media Storm

Within the clip, uploaded to Facebook and attracted over 2.5 million views, the actor, hailing from Mumbles, Swansea, spoke of her enjoyment in exploring her part, Morticia Addams, in season two.

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

The online backlash sparked significant support for Zeta-Jones, featuring a widely-shared clip from one Facebook user which said: "People criticize females for having too much work done and criticize them if they avoid enough."

Online users came to her defence, with one writing: "This is ageing naturally and she appears gorgeous."

Many labelled her as "gorgeous" and "lovely", and one comment read that "she looks her age - that's called the natural process."

Challenging Perceptions

Ms White arrived at the studio recently without any makeup to make a statement and to highlight the absence of a "template" of how a woman in midlife should look like.

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

"Ageing is an honour and provided we do it as well as possible, that is what is important," she stated further.

She argued that men were not judged by identical aesthetic benchmarks, noting "no-one questions the age of certain male celebrities might be - they simply appear 'great'."

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

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, said that although Zeta-Jones was "stunning" it was "beside the point", stating further she should be able to appear however she liked absent her age facing scrutiny.

She stated the digital criticism showed not a single woman is "immune" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" that they are insufficient or youthful enough - a problem that is "galling, regardless of the individual targeted".

When asked if men experience identical criticism, she responded "not at all", explaining women were criticized simply for having the "audacity" to be present online while aging.

An Impossible Standard

Regardless of the beauty industry emphasizing "age-defiance", she commented females are still criticised if they age naturally or chose interventions such as cosmetic surgery or fillers.

"Should you grow older without intervention, commenters state more could be done; if you get procedures, people say you trying too hard," she remarked further.