🔗 Share this article Ladies Stand For the Oscar-Winning Actor Following Criticism Over Age Comments Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones was subject to criticism about her looks during a Netflix FYC event recently. There is a groundswell of support behind acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by scrutiny on social media over her appearance during a high-profile appearance. She appeared at an industry gathering in Los Angeles last month where an online segment discussing her part in the latest the 'Wednesday' show became dominated by discussion about her age. Voices of Support Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "utter foolishness", noting that "men aren't given such a timeline which women face". "Men are free from this sell-by/use-by date imposed on women," stated the pageant winner. Author Sali Hughes, 50, said differently from men, women were unfairly judged as they age and Zeta-Jones should be able to appear as she wishes. Digital Backlash Within the clip, uploaded to Facebook and attracted more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Mumbles, Swansea, discussed the pleasure of portraying her part, Morticia Addams, in the latest season. Yet many of the hundreds of comments zeroed in on her age and were disparaging towards her looks. This criticism triggered significant support of Zeta-Jones, featuring a popular post online which declared: "People criticize females for having treatments and bully them when they don't have enough." Commenters also came to her defence, as one put it: "It's called aging naturally and she is beautiful." Many labelled her as "beautiful" and "very attractive", with another adding that "she appears her age - that's called the natural process." Making a Point Laura White arrived makeup-free on air as a demonstration. The winner attended at the studio recently makeup-free to "prove a point" and to demonstrate that there is no fixed "template" of how a female of a certain age should look like. As with others of her years, she explained she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but to feel "improved" and look "healthy". "Growing older is a gift and provided we age as well as possible, that is what really matters," she continued. She argued that men aren't subject to equivalent appearance ideals, stating "people don't ask how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they only look 'wonderful'." Ms White noted this was one of the reasons behind her participation in the competition for women over 45, to "show that females of a certain age remain relevant" and "possess it". Unfair Scrutiny Welsh beauty writer Sali Hughes argues women face being often and harshly judged for ageing. Hughes, a journalist from Wales, said that although the actor is "beautiful" that is "beside the point", stating further she deserves to be able to look in any way she chooses free from her years being scrutinised. She stated the online abuse demonstrated not a single woman is "immune" and that women do not deserve the "constant narrative" that they are lacking or of the right age - a situation that is "galling, regardless of the individual targeted". When asked if men experience identical criticism, she responded "not at all", noting females are attacked simply for demonstrating the "boldness" to live online while aging. An Impossible Standard Even with the wellness sector emphasizing "longevity", Hughes said females are still criticised whether they aged naturally or underwent treatments like plastic surgery or injections. "Should you grow older without intervention, others claim you ought to try harder; if you undergo work done, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she remarked further.