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There is a groundswell of support behind Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by criticism across platforms regarding her appearance following a high-profile event.

The actor was present at a promotional function in Los Angeles recently during which a social media clip discussing her character in the new series of Wednesday became dominated because of remarks about her looks.

A Chorus of Defence

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "complete nonsense", stating that "men don't have such a timeline that women do".

"Males escape this sell-by/use-by date which women face," said Laura White.

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, stated unlike men, females are subject to unfair scrutiny as they age and the actor deserves to be at liberty to appear however she liked.

The Social Media Storm

During the interview, uploaded to Facebook and garnered millions of views, the actor, hailing from Wales, talked about how much she enjoyed exploring her part, Morticia Addams, in the latest season.

But many of the hundreds of comments focused on her age and were critical regarding her looks.

The online backlash ignited widespread defence for the actor, including a viral video from one Facebook user which said: "You bully females if they undergo too much work done and criticize them if they avoid enough."

Others also came to her defence, one stating: "She is growing older naturally and she is beautiful."

Some called her as "stunning" and "lovely", and one comment read that "she appears her age - which is simply life."

A Statement Arrival

The winner attended at the studio recently without any makeup to "prove a point" and to show the absence of a "mold" for what a female of a certain age should look like.

Like many women her age, she said she "takes care of herself" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "well" and look "healthy".

"Ageing is a gift and if we can age the best we can, that is what is important," she continued.

She argued that males are not subject to equivalent aesthetic benchmarks, noting "nobody scrutinizes the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they just appear 'fantastic'."

She said it was a key factor she entered the pageant's division the classic category, in order to demonstrate that midlife women continue to exist" and "still have it".

The Core Issue

Sali Hughes, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, stated that although Zeta-Jones was "beautiful" it was "beside the point", stating further she should be able to look in any way she chooses free from her years being scrutinised.

She stated the digital criticism demonstrated no woman was "immune" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" which says they are insufficient or young enough - a problem that is "infuriating, irrespective of the person involved".

When asked if men face the same scrutiny, she responded "no, never", explaining women were attacked simply for demonstrating the "boldness" to live online while aging.

A No-Win Situation

Even with cosmetic companies emphasizing "age-defiance", Hughes said females are still criticised whether they aged gracefully or underwent treatments including cosmetic surgery or injectables.

"When a woman ages without intervention, people say you should do more; when you have treatments, you're accused of trying too hard," she added.