Females Unite In Support of Catherine Zeta-Jones Following Age-Shaming Remarks

Women are rallying behind acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by criticism online over her looks following a red carpet event.

She appeared at a Netflix event in LA last month during which an online segment discussing her part in season two of Wednesday was eclipsed because of discussion focusing on her age.

Voices of Support

Laura White, 58, labelled the backlash "complete nonsense", stating that "males escape this expiration date which women face".

"Men are free from this expiration date which women face," said Ms White.

Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, said unlike men, women were subject to unfair scrutiny for ageing and she ought to be free to appear however she liked.

The Social Media Storm

Within the clip, uploaded to Facebook and attracted millions of views, the actor, who is from Mumbles, Swansea, talked about how much she enjoyed exploring her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.

But a significant number of the numerous remarks zeroed in on her age and were negative about her looks.

The negative remarks sparked significant support of Zeta-Jones, including a popular post online which stated: "You bully females if they undergo treatments and criticize them when they don't have sufficient procedures."

Commenters also spoke up for her, with one writing: "She is ageing naturally and she appears stunning."

Many labelled her as "beautiful" and "very attractive", and one comment read that "she looks her age - that's called the natural process."

Making a Point

She appeared for her interview earlier makeup-free to "prove a point" and to show that there is no fixed "blueprint" for what a female in midlife ought to appear.

Similar to numerous females her age, she said she "maintains her wellbeing" not to appear younger but to feel "well" and appear "healthy".

"Growing older is an honour and provided we live gracefully, that's what really matters," she continued.

She argued that men were not subject to equivalent aesthetic benchmarks, adding "people don't ask the age of famous men are - they simply are described as 'wonderful'."

She explained it was one of the reasons behind her participation in the pageant's division the classic category, in order to demonstrate that midlife women remain relevant" and "possess it".

The Core Issue

Hughes, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, said that while the actor is "gorgeous" this is "not the point", noting she should be at liberty to look however she liked absent her years being scrutinised.

She stated the online abuse demonstrated that no female is "immune" and that females should not face the "perpetual story" that they are insufficient or youthful enough - a situation that is "maddening, no matter the individual targeted".

Asked if men experience the same scrutiny, she responded "not at all", explaining women were targeted just for having the "nerve" to be present on the internet while growing older.

A Double Bind

Regardless of the wellness sector promoting "youthful longevity", she commented females are still criticised if they age naturally or chose interventions like surgical procedures or injections.

"When a woman ages without intervention, commenters state you ought to try harder; when you have work done, you are criticized for trying too hard," she remarked further.