Ladies Stand For Catherine Zeta-Jones Amidst Criticism Over Age Criticism
There is a groundswell of support for acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she encountered disparaging remarks across platforms about her looks during a industry function.
She appeared at a promotional function in LA recently where an online segment discussing her part in season two of the 'Wednesday' show became dominated because of comments concerning her age.
Widespread Backing
This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, labelled the online criticism "utter foolishness", noting that "men don't have such a timeline which women face".
"Males escape this sell-by/use-by date that women do," said Laura White.
Writer and commentator Sali Hughes, 50, stated unlike men, women were unfairly judged growing older and the actor deserves to be able to appear as she wishes.
Digital Backlash
In the video, which was also posted on Facebook and had millions of views, Zeta-Jones, who is from Mumbles, Swansea, spoke of how much she enjoyed delving into her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.
Yet a large portion of the online responses zeroed in on her age and were disparaging regarding her looks.
The negative remarks sparked significant support for Zeta-Jones, such as a popular post online which said: "You bully females for having treatments and bully them if they avoid enough work."
Commenters also spoke up for her, one stating: "It's called growing older naturally and she appears beautiful."
Some called her as "gorgeous" and "lovely", with another adding that "she looks her age - which is simply life."
A Statement Arrival
The winner attended at the studio earlier with a bare face to make a statement and to highlight there was no set "blueprint" of how a female of a certain age is supposed to look.
Similar to numerous females her age, she explained she "takes care of herself" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "well" and look "in good health".
"Getting older represents a privilege and when we age the best we can, this is what truly counts," she added.
Ms White stated that men aren't held to the same aesthetic benchmarks, adding "people don't ask how old famous men might be - they simply appear 'wonderful'."
She said it was a key factor behind her participation in Miss Great Britain's category for over-45s, to prove that women in midlife continue to exist" and "still have it".
Unfair Scrutiny
Hughes, a writer and commentator from Wales, stated that although the actor is "gorgeous" that is "irrelevant", noting she ought to be at liberty to appear however she liked free from her years being scrutinised.
Hughes argued the online abuse proved no woman was "protected" and that females should not face the "ongoing theme" that they are lacking or of the right age - a problem that is "infuriating, no matter the person involved".
Asked if men experience the same scrutiny, she responded "no, never", noting females are targeted just for having the "audacity" to be present online as they age.
A Double Bind
Regardless of cosmetic companies emphasizing "youthful longevity", she commented females are still face criticism if they age naturally or chose interventions such as cosmetic surgery or fillers.
"If you age gracefully, commenters state more could be done; when you have procedures, people say you failing to age well," she remarked further.