The Oscar‑winning actress, from Mumbles, was promoting season two of Wednesday, where she plays Morticia Addams. But instead of focusing on her role, hundreds of social media comments turned to her age — sparking a backlash against the critics.
Support poured in from fans and campaigners. Miss Great Britain Classic winner Laura White branded the criticism “complete nonsense”, while Welsh beauty journalist Sali Hughes said women should be free to look however they like without being judged.
@gold_derby Catherine Zeta-Jones loved learning more about Morticia on Season 2 of #Wednesday. #catherinezetajones #morticiaaddams #wednesdayaddams #wednesdaynetflix #theaddamsfamily #interview #tv #awards ♬ original sound – Gold Derby
One viral Facebook post summed up the mood: “You bully women when they get too much work done and bully them when they don’t have enough.”
Fans also rallied online, describing Zeta‑Jones as “gorgeous”, “so pretty” and “beautiful”, with one commenter adding: “She looks her age — that’s called reality.”
White, 58, told BBC Radio Wales she arrived makeup‑free to prove there’s no “template” for how women in their 50s should look.
“Ageing is a privilege,” she said. “Men don’t face the same scrutiny — no one questions how old Tom Cruise or George Clooney are.”
Hughes added:
“No woman is immune from this kind of abuse. If you age naturally, people say you should do more; if you get work done, you’re accused of not ageing gracefully enough.”
While Zeta‑Jones herself has not commented, the row has reignited debate about double standards in how men and women are judged as they age — with her fans insisting the spotlight should remain firmly on her performance.
