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There is a groundswell of support in defence of Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she faced disparaging remarks on social media about her appearance at a recent high-profile event.

Zeta-Jones attended a Netflix event in LA last month during which an online segment featuring her role in the latest Wednesday was eclipsed due to remarks focusing on her looks.

Widespread Backing

Laura White, 58, called the negative reaction "absolute rubbish", stating that "males escape this sell-by/use-by date that women do".

"Men are free from such a timeline that women do," argued the pageant winner.

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated unlike men, females are criticized growing older and Zeta-Jones should be able to look as she wishes.

Digital Backlash

In the video, also shared to social media and attracted over 2.5 million views, the actor, originally from Wales, spoke of how much she enjoyed delving into her character, Morticia Addams, in season two.

Yet a large portion of the online responses centered on her age and were critical regarding her looks.

The negative remarks sparked widespread defence for the actor, including a viral video online which declared: "People criticize females when they get too much work done and criticize them if they avoid enough."

Commenters also rallied in support, with one writing: "She is growing older naturally and she appears stunning."

Some called her as "beautiful" and "so pretty", while someone else said that "she looks her age - which is simply the natural process."

Making a Point

She appeared for her interview recently makeup-free to "prove a point" and to show that there is no fixed "blueprint" of how a female in her 50s should look like.

Similar to numerous females of her years, she said she "looks after herself" not to look younger but so she feels "improved" and be "healthy".

"Ageing is a gift and provided we live as well as possible, this is what really matters," she continued.

Ms White stated that males are not subject to equivalent appearance ideals, stating "people don't ask how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they just look 'fantastic'."

She explained it was a key factor she entered the competition for over-45s, to "show that females of a certain age continue to exist" and "still have it".

A Fundamental Problem

Sali Hughes, an author and presenter from Wales, said that while the actor is "gorgeous" it was "beside the point", noting she should be free to look however she liked absent her age coming under examination.

Hughes argued the online abuse demonstrated no woman was "exempt" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "ongoing theme" which says they are lacking or young enough - a problem that is "infuriating, no matter who the victim is".

When asked if men face the same scrutiny, she responded "not at all", explaining women were attacked merely for demonstrating the "nerve" to exist on the internet as they age.

An Impossible Standard

Despite the beauty industry advocating for "youthful longevity", Hughes said women were still criticised if they age naturally or opted for procedures including plastic surgery or injectables.

"If you age gracefully, others claim you should do more; when you have treatments, people say you failing to age well," she remarked further.