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There is a groundswell of support in defence of acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she encountered scrutiny online about her looks during a high-profile function.

The actor was present at a promotional function in LA recently during which an online segment discussing her character in the latest Wednesday became dominated due to remarks focusing on her appearance.

Widespread Backing

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "utter foolishness", stating that "men aren't given this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women".

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

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, said in contrast to men, women were criticized as they age and the actor deserves to be able to look however she liked.

Online Reaction

In the video, which was also posted on Facebook and had more than 2.5m views, the actor, who is from Wales, discussed how much she enjoyed exploring her part, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.

However many of the hundreds of comments focused on her years and were negative towards her appearance.

The online backlash triggered a broad defence for the actor, including a widely-shared clip online which stated: "You bully females for having treatments and criticize them for not having enough."

Online users came to her defence, one stating: "She is growing older naturally and she appears stunning."

Some called her as "gorgeous" and "very attractive", while someone else said that "she appears her age - which is simply reality."

A Statement Arrival

She appeared on air recently without any makeup as a demonstration and to highlight that there is no fixed "template" for what a female of a certain age should look like.

As with others her age, she stated she "takes care of herself" not to look younger but to feel "improved" and appear "vibrant".

"Getting older represents an honour and provided we do it as well as possible, that's what really matters," she continued.

Ms White stated that men aren't held to identical aesthetic benchmarks, adding "nobody scrutinizes the age of famous men are - they simply look 'great'."

She explained this was a key factor for entering Miss Great Britain's category for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that midlife women continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, said that although the actor is "gorgeous" that is "not the point", adding she deserves to be at liberty to look however she liked absent her age coming under examination.

She stated the online abuse demonstrated no woman was "exempt" and that females should not face the "perpetual story" suggesting they are insufficient or of the right age - a problem that is "galling, irrespective of who the victim is".

Questioned on whether males encounter identical criticism, she responded "absolutely not", adding women were criticized just for showing "nerve" to exist on the internet as they age.

A No-Win Situation

Even with the wellness sector advocating for "age-defiance", the author stated females are still judged whether they aged naturally or underwent treatments including surgical procedures or injections.

"When a woman ages naturally, commenters state you ought to try harder; if you get procedures, you are criticized for trying too hard," she added.