Catherine Zeta-Jones Faces Backlash over Comment to Underage Fan

Catherine Zeta-Jones has drawn criticism after making an offhand remark about a 12-year-old fan during a recent television appearance.

Catherine Zeta-Jones appeared on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" earlier this week to discuss her role as Morticia Addams in Netflix’s hit series "Wednesday." While reflecting on how the show has introduced her to a younger audience, she shared an anecdote about meeting a boy who asked for her autograph.

The 55-year-old actress recounted the moment, saying she joked that when she turns 70, the boy will be 33. The remark drew laughter from the studio audience, but online, some viewers said it was inappropriate.

The exchange continued when Meyers teased her about "doing math" in her head. Zeta-Jones quipped back, referencing her marriage to 80-year-old Michael Douglas: "Hey, Michael Douglas is 25 years older than me." The actress married Douglas in 2000, two years after meeting him. They share two children.

Clips of the interview have since circulated widely on social media, with some users criticizing her choice of words. One wrote, "That twelve y/o boy comment was frickin wild." Another said, "I just know she regretted saying that the second it left her mouth." A third added, "That twelve yr old what nowwww[sic]."

Others defended Zeta-Jones, suggesting her comments were intended as a lighthearted reference to the age gap in her own marriage.