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Catherine Zeta-Jones is under fire after remarks she made about a young fan on Late Night with Seth Meyers sparked outrage online.
The Wednesday star, 55, appeared on the show last week to promote the second season of Netflix's hit series, where she plays Morticia Addams. While discussing the show's growing popularity, she recalled how it had introduced her to a "new generation of fans."
Zeta-Jones described meeting a 12-year-old boy while golfing with her husband, Michael Douglas, 80. "I was practicing, and this really cute 12-year-old boy came up asking for my autograph," she told Meyers. "It was so sweet, and I joked, 'When I'm 70, this cute little boy will be 33.'"
The comment quickly went viral, drawing criticism from viewers who labeled it "creepy" and "wildly inappropriate." One TikTok user wrote, "Who even thinks like this after meeting a child? It's just weird." Another added, "I'm a fan, but this wasn't okay. That was awkward to watch."
Some defended the actress, suggesting the remark was meant as harmless humor. Still, many felt uncomfortable with the joke's tone. "It's not about intent," one critic wrote on X. "It's the fact that she thought this was a funny story worth sharing on national TV."
Even host Seth Meyers seemed taken aback, joking afterward, "As long as you don't give them your number when they're 12."
The backlash comes as Zeta-Jones celebrates her 25th wedding anniversary with Douglas, despite years of public scrutiny over their 25-year age gap. Married since 2000, the couple share two children, Dylan, 25, and Carys, 22, and have often spoken about weathering challenges together, including Douglas' cancer battle and Zeta-Jones' bipolar diagnosis.
Neither Zeta-Jones nor her representatives have commented on the criticism. Meanwhile, Wednesday continues filming its third season for Netflix, where she will reprise her role as Morticia Addams.
