Women rally behind Catherine Zeta-Jones after age-shaming backlash

Women have rallied behind Catherine Zeta-Jones after the actor faced online criticism over her appearance following a recent red carpet appearance in Los Angeles.

The Oscar winner attended a Netflix event on November 9 to promote the new season of Wednesday, in which she reprises her role as Morticia Addams. A short interview clip shared on TikTok quickly gained traction, but the conversation was overtaken by comments focusing on her age and appearance rather than her role in the series.

The reaction sparked criticism online, with many women calling out what they described as unfair and familiar age-shaming directed at women in the public eye.

Backlash sparks widespread support

Laura White, winner of this year’s Miss Great Britain Classic title, described the comments as unjustified, saying women are often judged more harshly for ageing than men. She argued that male celebrities rarely face the same level of scrutiny over their looks.

White later appeared on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast without make-up, saying she wanted to challenge expectations around how women in their 50s should look. She said ageing should be viewed as a privilege, adding that taking care of oneself should be about feeling healthy rather than appearing younger.

Social media users echoed those views, with many praising Zeta-Jones for ageing naturally and criticising the double standards applied to women regardless of whether they choose cosmetic treatments or avoid them.

Critics call out double standards around ageing

Beauty journalist and author Sali Hughes said the reaction showed that no woman is immune from online judgement. While acknowledging that Zeta-Jones is often described as glamorous, Hughes said appearance should not be the focus.

She argued that women face constant pressure to meet conflicting standards, noting that they are criticised both for ageing naturally and for undergoing cosmetic procedures. Hughes added that men are rarely subjected to the same level of public judgement.

Supporters say the episode highlights the need for a wider cultural shift in how ageing women are represented and discussed, particularly in the entertainment industry, where appearance continues to overshadow achievement.