Renée Zellweger took a step back from Hollywood for several years, revealing that the hiatus was driven by personal and mental health reasons. Upon her return, she faced rumors about plastic surgery, which she firmly addressed.
Before this period of scrutiny, Zellweger had already established herself as a talented actress. Her passion for acting began in her Texas hometown, and after initial struggles in Hollywood, she befriended fellow rising star Matthew McConaughey.
Her breakthrough came with the film “Love and a .45” (1994), earning her critical acclaim and prompting a move to Los Angeles. Her role in “The Whole Wide World” further opened doors, leading to her star-making turn opposite Tom Cruise in “Jerry Maguire” (1996).
Zellweger continued to build her career with notable roles alongside Meryl Streep in “One True Thing” (1998) and Jim Carrey in “Me, Myself and Irene” (2000). She won a Golden Globe for “Nurse Betty” and achieved commercial success and critical acclaim with “Bridget Jones’s Diary” (2001), earning her first Academy Award nomination.
Another followed for “Chicago” (2002), and she won her first Oscar for “Cold Mountain” (2003) and a second for “Judy” (2019).
Despite her success, Zellweger decided to step away from acting in 2010. She explained that the decision was more about wanting to explore other aspects of life and address personal health issues.
“I was bored of myself,” she admitted, feeling the need for stillness and realizing she wasn’t taking care of herself. Therapy revealed she had depression, prompting a year of darkness followed by a more fulfilling private life.
During her break, Zellweger found happiness in her personal life and realized the importance of having a home, not just a place to stay. Despite her love for acting, she found fame uncomfortable and valued genuine connections over public attention.
Zellweger made her comeback in 2016 with “Bridget Jones’s Baby.” Despite facing criticism about her appearance after a red-carpet event in 2014, she denied having plastic surgery in a powerful essay, criticizing societal pressures on women’s looks.
She emphasized that she was happy with her appearance and living a fulfilling life, noting that everyone changes with age.
In recent years, Zellweger has been in a relationship with English television presenter Ant Anstead. They met while filming “Celebrity IOU Joyride” and have been together since 2021, reportedly planning to relocate temporarily to London for her upcoming film.
Renée Zellweger’s journey underscores the importance of mental health and self-care, showcasing her resilience in the face of public scrutiny.
