Females Unite For Catherine Zeta-Jones Following Age-Related Comments
Females are uniting behind Oscar-winning actor Zeta-Jones following she encountered disparaging remarks online regarding her looks at a recent industry event.
The actor was present at an industry gathering in Los Angeles last month where a TikTok interview featuring her role in season two of the 'Wednesday' show was eclipsed because of comments concerning her age.
Voices of Support
Laura White, 58, described the negative reaction "complete nonsense", noting that "men aren't given this sell-by/use-by date that women do".
"Men are free from such a timeline that women do," said Ms White.
Writer and commentator Sali Hughes, 50, commented differently from men, females are criticized growing older and Zeta-Jones should be able to look in any way she chooses.
The Social Media Storm
Within the clip, which was also posted on Facebook and had more than 2.5m views, Zeta-Jones, originally from Mumbles, Swansea, discussed the pleasure of portraying her character, the Addams Family matriarch, in the new episodes.
However a significant number of the numerous remarks centered on her age and were negative towards her looks.
The negative remarks triggered significant support of Zeta-Jones, featuring a widely-shared clip online which said: "People criticize females when they get treatments and bully them if they avoid enough work."
Commenters also rallied in support, one stating: "This is growing older naturally and she looks stunning."
Others described her as "stunning" and "very attractive", while someone else said that "her appearance reflects her years - that is life."
A Statement Arrival
The winner attended for her interview recently with a bare face as a demonstration and to highlight there was no set "template" of how a female in midlife should look like.
Like many women of her years, she stated she "looks after herself" not for a youthful appearance but to feel "better" and be "in good health".
"Growing older is a gift and if we can age as well as possible, that is what really matters," she continued.
She contended that men aren't held to the same aesthetic benchmarks, stating "people don't ask the age of certain male celebrities are - they only are described as 'great'."
She said that became one of the reasons behind her participation in the pageant's division the classic category, to "show that women in midlife continue to exist" and "still have it".
Unfair Scrutiny
Sali Hughes, a writer and commentator from Wales, said that although the actor is "gorgeous" this is "not the point", adding she should be free to look in any way she chooses free from her years facing scrutiny.
She said the online abuse proved not a single woman is "exempt" and that it is unfair for women to endure the "perpetual story" which says they are lacking or youthful enough - a problem that is "maddening, no matter who the victim is".
When asked if men experience the same scrutiny, she responded "no, never", noting women were attacked merely for showing "boldness" to exist online as they age.
A No-Win Situation
Despite cosmetic companies emphasizing "youthful longevity", Hughes said women were still judged regardless of if they grow older naturally or underwent treatments like cosmetic surgery or injections.
"Should you grow older naturally, commenters state you ought to try harder; if you undergo work done, you're accused of trying too hard," she remarked further.