To think Catherine Zeta-Jones is an inspiration!

[Parisa5]

I was in the hairdressers yesterday and so provided with the obligatory copy of “Hello” magazine. Anyway, in it was CZJ and I just thought she looks fantastic. I’m 45 now, so the 50s are looming and I love seeing a woman like that who is 50, but more stunning than ever. I also think the same about Amanda Holden who I’ve met a few times and she’s another one who has improved with age. I know AH is not popular on MN, but why not? AIBU to think these two defy the myth that women should just let it all go as they get older?

I think anyone would good, photographed next to Michael Douglas, inspirational those two .... oh dear!

It’s actually quite depressing how nobody can just admit CZJ looks great without doing her down

Catherine is that you?

What could your average woman take from CZJ's life that would help her to live hers?

Nothing. She married into the equivalent of the Royal Family, a dynasty almost, and that's why she is famous. Now... I have no idea if she would still be famous after marrying MD... maybe, maybe not.

I mean... I have no idea if she would be still famous if she hadn't married MD

Now... I have no idea if she would still be famous after marrying MD... maybe, maybe not.

It's hypothetical obviously but I'm guessing.... not. She wasn't that great of an actress and would likely have been replaced by the next hot young thing, as is the norm in Hollywood. She'd be back doing ITV soaps if she was lucky.

I think Rachel Weisz, for example, has also done something strange to her face - Nicole Kidman too.

Nicole has been 'tweaking' for decades. She can barely move her face now, which is a shame especially as her job requires her to show emotion.

Rachel was one of those I admired for holding out against the Hollywood norms, but yes, she too appears to have had 'work' done in the last few years. And not in a good way. Such a shame.

She did win an Oscar to be fair to her. I still think she’s wrecked her face.

Lots of mediocre actresses win Oscars, especially in the 'supporting' category. I give you Halle Berry and Angelina Jolie as examples.

And whoever said women weren’t their own worst critics ....

Trying to shame us for not fawning over a celebrity who wouldn't slow down her limo to throw you a sandwich if you were starving? Try harder.

Of course there's a spectrum. But there's a difference between putting some powder on your brows and having invasive, permanent procedures. People are entitled to do whatever they like to their faces but i just think its sad that with so much to offer the world, talented, intelligent women who are already naturally beautiful feel the need to go to such an extremes to hide the hideous fact that time has passed. But then who can blame them when women who arent of 'breeding' age apparently have no use in society!

I think it's fine to have spending lots of time and money on your appearance as your hobby. It clearly gives many people a lot of pleasure and a sense of achievement.

But just because someone else doesn't share that hobby doesn't mean that they're lazy or letting themselves go. Different strokes etc.

Nobody on here has a clue what she’s had “done” or hasn’t done.

Well. Yes and no. Nobody on here is going to be able to conclusively list all the procedures she has and hasn't had done. That's true. But you can tell by looking that the number isn't zero, let's be honest!

I used to get told I look like CZJ all the time.

I am ageing naturally. Let's just say the comments don't come as thick and fast these days.

I really don't think there's anything 'inspirational' about an already beautiful woman spending a fuckton of money @ the plastic surgeon's.

I was watching Toni Colette in a series on Netflix, she's definitely had something done, she looked a bit odd..

I think Jennifer Aniston looks fabulous and has a good surgeon. She looks like she works out hard but enjoys herself recreationally as well. Also Julianne Moore looks amazing and not like shes had any work done. And, what about Naomi Watts? She looks ten times more natural than her best friend Nicole Kidman. There are many more actors that look fantastic and not plastic. Why did you pick those two? They can hardly move their faces. I dont find them inspiring at all.

My inspirational women are:

Mary Beard
Germaine Greer
Celeste Barber
Mo Mowlam
JK Rowling
Katie Piper
Sheila Hancock
...Erm long list of people who have more going on than trying to stay young and pretty...

I think you were looking for this Photo

Not a plastic surgeon is sight, just one of the highest judge in the country.

And bloody brilliant broach.

Toni Colette is great but I reckon she’s had stuff done. Those wrinkles at the side of her nose scream Botox.

I only know CZJ through the Darling Buds of May, and her famous husband. So I can't say as I find her inspirational. Beautiful, yes. Inspirational, no.

They have both had survey so of course they are going to look fresher. Inspirational? No

I think that most actresses will have had differing amounts of work but the ones who have kept it low key will naturally be more appealing to women. At the top of my head these women are more on the lines of Hennifer Aniston, Christy Turlington, Sigourney Weaver, Diane Keaton, Salma Hayek, Jamie Lee Curtis than the "mask" like look of Renee Zellwegger, CZJ, Amanda Holden etc

I saw the title and read the OP expecting to learn that Zeta-Jones had done something amazing

But it's just about how she looks

How trivial & disappointing
Not inspirational at all

And whoever said women weren’t their own worst critics ....

Yes, people always trot this point out when women are pointing out fashions and attitudes that are damaging to women.

The reason we criticise things like botox and cosmetic surgery is that they are the result of attitudes that demand women should be valued based on their looks and youthfulness, in a way that men never were and largely still aren't.

I think 'having work done' is is bad thing = I don't think it's good for women's equality to have unrealistic and shallow expectations placed on them about their appearance.