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Women are rallying for Oscar-winning actor Catherine Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by disparaging remarks online over her looks following a red carpet event.

She appeared at a promotional function in Los Angeles last month during which an online segment discussing her part in the latest the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed due to discussion concerning her looks.

Widespread Backing

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, called the online criticism "absolute rubbish", stating that "men don't have this sell-by/use-by date which women face".

"Men are free from this sell-by/use-by date that women do," said Ms White.

Beauty journalist aged 50, Sali Hughes, commented differently from men, women were subject to unfair scrutiny growing older and the actor deserves to be free to look however she liked.

The Social Media Storm

Within the clip, also shared to social media and attracted more than 2.5m views, the actor, who is from Wales, spoke of the pleasure of delving into her role, Morticia Addams, in the new episodes.

Yet a significant number of the numerous remarks zeroed in on her age and were disparaging about her appearance.

The online backlash ignited significant support of Zeta-Jones, including a viral video from one Facebook user which stated: "There is criticism for females if they undergo too much work done and attack them if they avoid enough work."

Others also came to her defence, with one writing: "This is aging naturally and she appears gorgeous."

Some called her as "gorgeous" and "so pretty", with another adding that "she appears her age - that is reality."

Making a Point

The winner attended for her interview recently without any makeup to "prove a point" and to highlight that there is no fixed "mold" of how a female of a certain age is supposed to look.

Similar to numerous females of her years, she stated she "maintains her wellbeing" not for a youthful appearance but to feel "improved" and appear "in good health".

"Ageing is a privilege and if we can do it the best we can, that's what is important," she added.

She argued that men aren't held to identical appearance ideals, adding "nobody scrutinizes the age of Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones are - they just look 'great'."

She explained it was part of the motivation she entered the pageant's division for women over 45, in order to demonstrate that females of a certain age continue to exist" and "possess it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Sali Hughes, an author and presenter of Welsh origin, stated that although Zeta-Jones was "stunning" it was "irrelevant", stating further she deserves to be at liberty to appear as she wishes without her age being scrutinised.

Hughes argued the social media vitriol demonstrated no woman was "immune" and that females should not face the "perpetual story" suggesting they are insufficient or of the right age - a situation that is "galling, regardless of the individual targeted".

When asked if men experience equivalent judgment, she said "not at all", adding women were targeted simply for demonstrating the "boldness" to live on the internet while growing older.

An Impossible Standard

Despite the beauty industry promoting "age-defiance", she commented females are still face criticism if they age naturally or chose interventions like surgical procedures or injections.

"Should you grow older gracefully, others claim you should do more; if you get treatments, people say you failing to age well," she remarked further.