Women Rally Behind the Oscar-Winning Actor Over Age-Related Criticism
Women are rallying for acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones after she encountered scrutiny online over her appearance at a recent industry appearance.
Zeta-Jones attended a Netflix event in Hollywood recently where a TikTok interview featuring her role in season two of the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed by discussion focusing on her age.
Widespread Backing
Laura White, 58, labelled the online criticism "complete nonsense", noting that "men aren't given such a timeline that women do".
"Males escape this sell-by/use-by date that women do," argued the pageant winner.
Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, commented unlike men, females are subject to unfair scrutiny growing older and Zeta-Jones should be free to look however she liked.
Digital Backlash
In the video, also shared to social media and garnered more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, hailing from Swansea, talked about how much she enjoyed delving into her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the latest season.
Yet many of the numerous remarks focused on her years and were negative towards her looks.
The online backlash triggered widespread defence for Zeta-Jones, featuring a widely-shared clip from one Facebook user which stated: "There is criticism for females when they get cosmetic procedures and attack them if they avoid enough."
Commenters also came to her defence, one stating: "It's called ageing naturally and she looks stunning."
Some called her as "stunning" and "very attractive", and one comment read that "her appearance reflects her years - that is reality."
A Statement Arrival
Ms White arrived at the studio earlier makeup-free to make a statement and to show there was no set "blueprint" for what a female in midlife ought to appear.
As with others in her demographic, she said she "looks after herself" not to appear younger but in order to feel "better" and look "vibrant".
"Growing older is a privilege and if we can do it the best we can, that's what really matters," she stated further.
She argued that men were not held to equivalent appearance ideals, adding "people don't ask the age of certain male celebrities are - they only look 'great'."
She explained this was a key factor behind her participation in the pageant's division for over-45s, to "show that females of a certain age continue to exist" and "retain their appeal".
Unfair Scrutiny
The author, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, stated that while the actor is "gorgeous" it was "beside the point", noting she ought to be free to look in any way she chooses absent her years facing scrutiny.
Hughes argued the social media vitriol proved not a single woman is "immune" and that women do not deserve the "perpetual story" that they are lacking or young enough - a problem that is "galling, regardless of the individual targeted".
Questioned on whether men experience identical criticism, she responded "absolutely not", noting women were targeted simply for showing "audacity" to be present on social media as they age.
A No-Win Situation
Regardless of cosmetic companies promoting "youthful longevity", the author stated females are still judged if they age without intervention or underwent treatments including plastic surgery or injectables.
"If you age naturally, commenters state you should do more; if you undergo procedures, you are criticized for trying too hard," she concluded.
