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There is a groundswell of support behind Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones following she faced criticism on social media about her looks during a high-profile function.

Zeta-Jones attended a Netflix event in Los Angeles last month where an online segment about her role in season two of the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed by remarks concerning her age.

A Chorus of Defence

Aged 58, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "complete nonsense", adding that "males escape such a timeline which women face".

"Men don't have such a timeline that women do," argued Laura White.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, commented in contrast to men, women were criticized as they age and the actor deserves to be able to appear in any way she chooses.

Digital Backlash

During the interview, also shared to Facebook and had over 2.5 million views, Zeta-Jones, who is from Swansea, talked about her enjoyment in delving into her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.

Yet many of the online responses focused on her years and were negative regarding her looks.

The negative remarks triggered significant support of the actor, featuring a widely-shared clip from a social media user which said: "People criticize women when they get cosmetic procedures and attack them when they don't have enough."

Others also rallied in support, as one put it: "She is ageing naturally and she is gorgeous."

Some called her as "beautiful" and "lovely", with another adding that "her appearance reflects her years - which is simply life."

Challenging Perceptions

Ms White arrived for her interview earlier without any makeup to "prove a point" and to demonstrate the absence of a "mold" for what a woman in midlife should look like.

Like many women her age, she explained she "maintains her wellbeing" not for a youthful appearance but to feel "well" and be "vibrant".

"Growing older is a privilege and provided we age gracefully, this is what is important," she added.

Ms White stated that men aren't held to equivalent beauty standards, stating "nobody scrutinizes the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they only look 'wonderful'."

She explained that became a key factor behind her participation in the pageant's division for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that females of a certain age remain relevant" and "retain their appeal".

The Core Issue

The author, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, said that while the actor is "stunning" that is "not the point", adding she deserves to be able to look in any way she chooses absent her age being scrutinised.

Hughes argued the digital criticism demonstrated no woman was "immune" and that females should not face the "constant narrative" suggesting they are lacking or youthful enough - a situation that is "maddening, irrespective of the individual targeted".

Questioned on whether males encounter equivalent judgment, she said "not at all", noting females are criticized just for having the "nerve" to be present online as they age.

An Impossible Standard

Even with the beauty industry promoting "youthful longevity", Hughes said women were still criticised whether they aged gracefully or chose interventions like plastic surgery or injections.

"When a woman ages gracefully, people say you should do more; if you undergo work done, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she concluded.