🔗 Share this article

Females are uniting for acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she encountered scrutiny across platforms regarding her looks following a red carpet appearance.

She appeared at a promotional function in Hollywood on 9 November during which a TikTok interview featuring her part in season two of Wednesday was eclipsed due to discussion focusing on her age.

Voices of Support

Laura White, 58, described the backlash "absolute rubbish", noting that "men aren't given this expiration date imposed on women".

"Males escape such a timeline which women face," argued Ms White.

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, commented in contrast to men, females are unfairly judged growing older and the actor deserves to be at liberty to appear as she wishes.

Online Reaction

Within the clip, which was also posted on social media and garnered millions of views, Zeta-Jones, originally from Swansea, talked about the pleasure of delving into her role, Morticia Addams, in the latest season.

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

The online backlash ignited widespread defence for Zeta-Jones, including a popular post from a social media user which said: "You bully females for having treatments and attack them if they avoid sufficient procedures."

Online users spoke up for her, as one put it: "It's called aging naturally and she appears beautiful."

Some called her as "beautiful" and "very attractive", with another adding that "she looks her age - that is the natural process."

Challenging Perceptions

The winner attended on air earlier without any makeup as a demonstration and to highlight there was no set "blueprint" for what a female of a certain age should look like.

As with others her age, she explained she "takes care of herself" not for a youthful appearance but so she feels "well" and appear "vibrant".

"Getting older represents a privilege and if we can live the best we can, that's what is important," she added.

She argued that men aren't judged by the same appearance ideals, stating "people don't ask the age of certain male celebrities are - they just are described as 'fantastic'."

She explained it was part of the motivation she entered Miss Great Britain's category for women over 45, to "show that women in midlife are still here" and "still have it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Sali Hughes, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, stated that although the actor is "stunning" this is "irrelevant", stating further she deserves to be free to appear however she liked absent her years facing scrutiny.

She said the online abuse showed that no female is "immune" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" that they are insufficient or young enough - a problem that is "infuriating, no matter the individual targeted".

Questioned on whether men face equivalent judgment, she responded "no, never", adding women were attacked merely for showing "audacity" to exist on the internet while aging.

A No-Win Situation

Even with the wellness sector advocating for "age-defiance", Hughes said women were still judged regardless of if they grow older gracefully or chose interventions like surgical procedures or fillers.

"If you age naturally, commenters state you should do more; when you have procedures, people say you failing to age well," she added.