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Females are uniting in defence of acclaimed star Catherine Zeta-Jones following she was targeted by disparaging remarks across platforms over her looks following a high-profile function.

Zeta-Jones attended an industry gathering in LA on 9 November during which an online segment about her part in season two of the 'Wednesday' show was overshadowed due to comments focusing on her looks.

A Chorus of Defence

This year's Miss Great Britain Classic winner, Laura White, called the online criticism "complete nonsense", noting that "males escape this expiration date that women do".

"Males escape this expiration date which women face," argued the pageant winner.

Writer and commentator aged 50, Sali Hughes, commented differently from men, women were criticized as they age and she ought to be at liberty to look in any way she chooses.

The Social Media Storm

In the video, also shared to social media and had millions of views, Zeta-Jones, originally from Mumbles, Swansea, spoke of how much she enjoyed delving into her part, Morticia Addams, in the new episodes.

Yet a significant number of the hundreds of comments centered on her years and were critical about her appearance.

The online backlash ignited widespread defence for the actor, featuring a widely-shared clip from one Facebook user which stated: "People criticize females for having cosmetic procedures and bully them if they avoid enough work."

Others also spoke up for her, with one writing: "This is growing older naturally and she looks stunning."

Some called her as "stunning" and "very attractive", and one comment read that "she appears her age - which is simply life."

Making a Point

Ms White arrived for her interview recently without any makeup to make a statement and to demonstrate there was no set "blueprint" for what a woman in midlife should look like.

Like many women of her years, she stated she "looks after herself" not to look younger but in order to feel "well" and be "healthy".

"Growing older is an honour and if we can do it gracefully, this is what is important," she stated further.

She argued that men were not subject to equivalent beauty standards, noting "nobody scrutinizes how old Tom Cruise, George Clooney or Tom Jones might be - they only appear 'great'."

She explained this was one of the reasons she entered the pageant's division for over-45s, to prove that women in midlife are still here" and "still have it".

Unfair Scrutiny

Hughes, a writer and commentator of Welsh origin, said that although Zeta-Jones was "stunning" this is "not the point", stating further she ought to be at liberty to appear however she liked absent her years facing scrutiny.

Hughes argued the digital criticism demonstrated that no female is "immune" and that women do not deserve the "ongoing theme" that they are not good enough or youthful enough - a problem that is "galling, no matter who the victim is".

Questioned on whether men face the same scrutiny, she responded "absolutely not", explaining women were targeted just for demonstrating the "nerve" to be present on the internet while aging.

A No-Win Situation

Regardless of the beauty industry emphasizing "youthful longevity", Hughes said women were still face criticism whether they aged without intervention or underwent treatments including plastic surgery or fillers.

"Should you grow older naturally, commenters state you should do more; when you have work done, people say you trying too hard," she added.