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Women are rallying for Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones following she encountered criticism online over her appearance following a red carpet function.

She appeared at a promotional function in Los Angeles on 9 November where an online segment featuring her role in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed because of remarks about her age.

Widespread Backing

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, labelled the negative reaction "utter foolishness", stating that "males escape such a timeline imposed on women".

"Men are free from such a timeline which women face," stated Ms White.

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, said differently from men, females are unfairly judged growing older and the actor deserves to be at liberty to appear however she liked.

Online Reaction

Within the clip, which was also posted on social media and garnered over 2.5 million views, the actor, originally from Wales, discussed the pleasure of delving into her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.

But a significant number of the numerous remarks centered on her age and were critical regarding her looks.

The negative remarks triggered a broad defence of Zeta-Jones, featuring a popular post online which said: "People criticize women if they undergo too much work done and criticize them when they don't have enough work."

Online users came to her defence, with one writing: "It's called ageing naturally and she appears beautiful."

Some called her as "gorgeous" and "so pretty", with another adding that "she appears her age - that is reality."

Challenging Perceptions

She appeared on air recently without any makeup to make a statement and to show there was no set "template" for what a woman of a certain age is supposed to look.

Like many women in her demographic, she explained she "looks after herself" not to look younger but to feel "improved" and be "in good health".

"Ageing is a privilege and when we do it the best we can, this is what really matters," she added.

She contended that males are not judged by the same appearance ideals, noting "nobody scrutinizes the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they simply look 'wonderful'."

Ms White noted it was a key factor for entering the pageant's division the classic category, to prove that women in midlife are still here" and "still have it".

A Fundamental Problem

Hughes, an author and presenter from Wales, commented that although Zeta-Jones was "beautiful" it was "irrelevant", stating further she should be able to appear as she wishes free from her years coming under examination.

She said the social media vitriol demonstrated no woman was "exempt" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" that they are lacking or of the right age - a situation that is "infuriating, no matter the individual targeted".

Questioned on whether men experience identical criticism, she responded "not at all", explaining females are targeted merely for having the "nerve" to be present on social media as they age.

A Double Bind

Even with cosmetic companies promoting "youthful longevity", Hughes said females are still judged regardless of if they grow older naturally or underwent treatments like surgical procedures or injections.

"When a woman ages without intervention, commenters state you should do more; if you get procedures, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she added.