Females Unite Behind Catherine Zeta-Jones Amidst Age-Shaming Criticism

Women are rallying behind Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones after she encountered disparaging remarks across platforms about her appearance following a red carpet event.

The actor was present at an industry gathering in Hollywood last month during which an online segment discussing her role in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show became dominated due to comments focusing on her age.

Widespread Backing

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, described the backlash "absolute rubbish", stating that "men aren't given this expiration date which women face".

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

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, stated differently from men, females are criticized as they age and she ought to be free to appear however she liked.

Online Reaction

In the video, also shared to social media and had over 2.5 million views, Zeta-Jones, originally from Wales, discussed the pleasure of exploring her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.

Yet a significant number of the online responses zeroed in on her age and were disparaging regarding her appearance.

The negative remarks sparked widespread defence for the actor, such as a popular post online which said: "You bully women for having cosmetic procedures and attack them when they don't have enough work."

Online users rallied in support, one stating: "This is aging naturally and she appears stunning."

Some called her as "beautiful" and "lovely", and one comment read that "she appears her age - that is the natural process."

Challenging Perceptions

The winner attended on air earlier makeup-free to "prove a point" and to show that there is no fixed "template" of how a woman in her 50s should look like.

Like many women in her demographic, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but to feel "well" and appear "healthy".

"Getting older represents a privilege and provided we age as well as possible, that's what really matters," she added.

She argued that men were not judged by equivalent beauty standards, adding "nobody scrutinizes the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they simply are described as 'great'."

She explained it was a key factor she entered the pageant's division the classic category, to "show that midlife women continue to exist" and "still have it".

A Fundamental Problem

Sali Hughes, a journalist of Welsh origin, stated that while Zeta-Jones was "gorgeous" it was "not the point", stating further she deserves to be able to look in any way she chooses without her years being scrutinised.

She stated the social media vitriol showed that no female is "exempt" and that women do not deserve the "constant narrative" that they are not good enough or of the right age - a problem that is "galling, no matter the person involved".

Questioned on whether males encounter equivalent judgment, she said "not at all", adding women were criticized merely for showing "audacity" to exist online as they age.

A Double Bind

Regardless of cosmetic companies advocating for "longevity", she commented females are still face criticism regardless of if they grow older naturally or underwent treatments like cosmetic surgery or fillers.

"When a woman ages naturally, commenters state you should do more; when you have work done, you are criticized for trying too hard," she added.