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Women are rallying behind acclaimed star Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by criticism online over her appearance following a industry function.

The actor was present at an industry gathering in Hollywood recently where a social media clip featuring her role in the new series of the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed due to discussion focusing on her age.

A Chorus of Defence

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, labelled the negative reaction "utter foolishness", stating that "men don't have this expiration date imposed on women".

"Men are free from this expiration date that women do," argued the pageant winner.

Author aged 50, Sali Hughes, said differently from men, females are unfairly judged for ageing and the actor deserves to be free to appear in any way she chooses.

Digital Backlash

Within the clip, which was also posted on Facebook and had more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Mumbles, Swansea, spoke of the pleasure of portraying her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.

Yet a large portion of the hundreds of comments centered on her years and were critical regarding her looks.

The negative remarks sparked widespread defence for the actor, featuring a popular post from one Facebook user which declared: "There is criticism for females if they undergo treatments and criticize them if they avoid enough work."

Others also rallied in support, with one writing: "It's called growing older naturally and she appears stunning."

Some called her as "gorgeous" and "lovely", with another adding that "she looks her age - that's called reality."

Making a Point

The winner attended on air recently with a bare face to make a statement and to demonstrate there was no set "blueprint" of how a woman of a certain age ought to appear.

As with others her age, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but in order to feel "better" and be "healthy".

"Growing older is a privilege and if we can do it as well as possible, that's what truly counts," she added.

Ms White stated that males are not subject to equivalent aesthetic benchmarks, stating "people don't ask the age of certain male celebrities are - they just are described as 'wonderful'."

Ms White noted that became part of the motivation she entered Miss Great Britain's category the classic category, to "show that midlife women continue to exist" and "possess it".

The Core Issue

Hughes, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, stated that although the actor is "beautiful" that is "beside the point", noting she ought to be free to appear in any way she chooses absent her age facing scrutiny.

Hughes argued the online abuse proved no woman was "immune" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "perpetual story" suggesting they are lacking or of the right age - an issue that is "infuriating, regardless of who the victim is".

Asked if men experience the same scrutiny, she answered "no, never", explaining females are targeted simply for having the "boldness" to live on social media while aging.

A Double Bind

Despite the beauty industry advocating for "age-defiance", Hughes said females are still judged if they age naturally or underwent treatments like plastic surgery or fillers.

"Should you grow older naturally, others claim you ought to try harder; when you have treatments, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she concluded.