An alopecia sufferer who has suffered similar hurtful comments as those levied at Will Smith's wife at the Oscars has backed his reaction and called it "comforting".
Hollywood legend Smith, 53, smacked Chris Rock, 57, at last night's Oscar awards ceremony over an ill-advised quip about his wife.
Rock, a famed stand-up comic, said Jada Pinkett Smith, 50, was set to make GI Jane 2 - mocking her for her hair condition.
This prompted her husband, who later won the best actor award, to storm the stage and smack Rock - before shouting: "Keep my wife's name out of your f ***** g mouth!"
Reality star ZaraLena Jackson, from Preston, Lancashire, who also suffers from alopecia, has now backed Smith's actions.
Alopecia, an abbreviated way to discuss the condition alopecia areata, is relatively common and impacts an estimated 15 in 10,000 people in the UK.
The Ex on the Beach contestant said she does not condone violence but says Rock should have "known better".
Zara said: "I think it's inappropriate to make any joke about someone with alopecia as its a condition that highly impacts mental health for that individual and isn't a laughing matter.
"I heard Chris made a GI Jane comment, which I've had before myself.
"I saw Will's reaction and all I thought was, 'where can I get one of those?'.
"To be clear, I don't condone violence, but him defending Jada showed strength in my eyes and was very comforting to see a man stand by his woman when she has alopecia.
"Being a comedian is very tongue in cheek and we all dislike when jokes are targeted as us, regardless of the subject, but he should of anticipated that response naturally and known better."
The 29-year-old first appeared on MTV's Ex on the Beach in 2017.
But the model saw huge clumps of hair falling out in 2020, and she was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease alopecia.
Within six weeks, she had no body hair and said hair loss felt like "torture" and made her feel "stripped" of her identity.
ZaraLena claims she has also been the victim of cruel jokes about her condition and would appreciate if she had a partner that stood up for her as Smith did for his wife last night.
She said: "It totally depends on who has made the joke. I've had it all - I've had strangers say 'hey baldy' which doesn't phase me at all, I am bald.
"I've had friends and family joke about 'let your hair down' or ask to borrow a razor or shampoo, which I just laugh at because I know they mean no harm and it can be humorous to see them panic without thinking about the comment.
"I've had a few reference me with the GI Jane comment. I think GI Jane looks insane though so I wasn't offended.
"My mum actually walked in on me in my dressing room the other day without a wig and she went, 'oh wow Zara, you look like a GI'Jane babe!
"I guess any comments around my alopecia depends on who they come from and what context they're said in.
"I'm quite thick skinned around it now so not much can phase me personally any more.
"The worst snide comment for me is, 'oh wow, nothing is natural any more, is it?'.
"For me, I always liked the idea of natural beauty, and I'm not saying no hair isn't beautiful, but I now wear wigs and put on eyebrows to look 'normal' or 'natural'.
"I don't have a partner currently, but if I did and he defended me, I'd feel comforted and proud.
She added: "If alopecia was taken as a medical condition and not cosmetic, the subject wouldn't be joked around lightly.
"Everyone seems to make noise around the importance of mental health when a life is lost, yet won't put changes in place to prevent or support the initial cause, in my opinion."
