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Women are rallying in defence of Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by disparaging remarks online about her appearance at a recent red carpet appearance.

She appeared at an industry gathering in Hollywood on 9 November where an online segment featuring her role in the latest Wednesday was overshadowed due to remarks about her appearance.

Widespread Backing

Laura White, 58, labelled the negative reaction "complete nonsense", noting that "men aren't given such a timeline which women face".

"Men don't have such a timeline imposed on women," stated Ms White.

Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated unlike men, females are subject to unfair scrutiny as they age and she ought to be at liberty to look however she liked.

The Social Media Storm

During the interview, which was also posted on social media and attracted over 2.5 million views, Zeta-Jones, who is from Swansea, spoke of her enjoyment in delving into her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.

Yet a large portion of the hundreds of comments zeroed in on her years and were negative about her appearance.

The online backlash ignited a broad defence of the actor, such as a viral video online which said: "There is criticism for women when they get too much work done and attack them when they don't have sufficient procedures."

Online users spoke up for her, as one put it: "She is growing older naturally and she looks beautiful."

Some called her as "stunning" and "lovely", and one comment read that "she appears her age - which is simply reality."

A Statement Arrival

She appeared for her interview earlier makeup-free to make a statement and to highlight that there is no fixed "mold" for what a woman in her 50s is supposed to look.

As with others in her demographic, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but to feel "well" and appear "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a privilege and provided we age as well as possible, this is what truly counts," she added.

She argued that men aren't subject to the same beauty standards, adding "no-one questions how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they simply appear 'great'."

She explained that became one of the reasons for entering Miss Great Britain's category for over-45s, to "show that midlife women are still here" and "possess it".

A Fundamental Problem

The author, a journalist of Welsh origin, said that while the actor is "gorgeous" this is "irrelevant", noting she deserves to be able to appear in any way she chooses absent her age coming under examination.

She stated the online abuse showed not a single woman is "immune" and that females should not face the "ongoing theme" suggesting they are insufficient or youthful enough - a situation that is "maddening, regardless of the individual targeted".

Asked if men experience identical criticism, she answered "not at all", explaining women were attacked just for having the "audacity" to be present on social media while aging.

A Double Bind

Regardless of the beauty industry emphasizing "youthful longevity", she commented females are still face criticism if they age gracefully or underwent treatments like plastic surgery or fillers.

"When a woman ages naturally, people say you ought to try harder; if you undergo work done, you are criticized for trying too hard," she added.