Women Rally Behind the Oscar-Winning Actor Following Age-Shaming Comments
Women are rallying for acclaimed star Zeta-Jones after she was targeted by disparaging remarks online regarding her appearance during a red carpet event.
She appeared at a Netflix event in Los Angeles on 9 November where an online segment about her character in the latest Wednesday was eclipsed by remarks focusing on her looks.
Voices of Support
Aged 58, Laura White, called the online criticism "complete nonsense", noting that "men don't have this sell-by/use-by date which women face".
"Men are free from this sell-by/use-by date which women face," argued Ms White.
Beauty journalist Sali Hughes, 50, stated unlike men, females are subject to unfair scrutiny as they age and she ought to be free to look in any way she chooses.
The Social Media Storm
In the video, which was also posted on social media and garnered more than 2.5m views, the actor, hailing from Wales, discussed her enjoyment in delving into her role, the Addams Family matriarch, in season two.
But a large portion of the numerous remarks focused on her age and were negative regarding her looks.
The negative remarks triggered a broad defence for the actor, including a viral video from a social media user which said: "People criticize females when they get too much work done and bully them if they avoid enough work."
Online users rallied in support, with one writing: "This is aging naturally and she looks gorgeous."
Some called her as "gorgeous" and "very attractive", while someone else said that "she appears her age - that is life."
Making a Point
Ms White arrived for her interview recently with a bare face to "prove a point" and to highlight there was no set "blueprint" of how a woman in her 50s should look like.
Like many women in her demographic, she said she "takes care of herself" not for a youthful appearance but in order to feel "better" and be "healthy".
"Growing older is a gift and provided we live as well as possible, that's what really matters," she continued.
Ms White stated that men aren't subject to identical appearance ideals, noting "nobody scrutinizes how old famous men are - they only are described as 'fantastic'."
She explained it was one of the reasons for entering the pageant's division for over-45s, in order to demonstrate that females of a certain age continue to exist" and "still have it".
A Fundamental Problem
The author, a journalist from Wales, said that although the actor is "beautiful" it was "not the point", noting she ought to be free to look as she wishes free from her age being scrutinised.
She said the social media vitriol showed not a single woman is "exempt" and that women do not deserve the "perpetual story" suggesting they are lacking or youthful enough - an issue that is "maddening, regardless of the person involved".
Questioned on whether males encounter the same scrutiny, she said "absolutely not", noting women were criticized merely for demonstrating the "audacity" to be present on social media as they age.
A No-Win Situation
Despite the wellness sector emphasizing "age-defiance", she commented women were still face criticism whether they aged naturally or chose interventions such as cosmetic surgery or injectables.
"Should you grow older naturally, commenters state more could be done; if you undergo procedures, people say you not aging gracefully enough," she concluded.