Page 72 - OK! Magazine - Australia (February 2020)
P. 72
RENÉE ZELLWEGER
The
From Bridget Jones to Roxie Hart and now Judy Garland
– the star completely transforms for every role she plays
enée Zellweger is nothing British Independent Film Award for the of us who were on her cast and crew and
if not versatile. The part. ‘This was a really big experience,’ she needed some actors and I… got the
50-year-old actress (yes, Renée says. ‘I feel like I really found my bug. I didn’t understand why this felt very
really!) has wowed on voice in this.’ important to me, but I couldn’t wait for
screen in a huge variety In the role, the actress portrays the next opportunity to act.
R of roles across her troubled movie queen Judy Garland.
three-decade career, including, of course, ‘I’ve always been a fan,’ Renée says of the Then, not long afterwards, you
playing Chicago’s crim Roxie Hart and the actress, who famously starred in The landed a part in a horror film…
loveable Bridget Jones. Wizard of Oz – and battled depression, Yes, I was in The Return of the Texas
But after taking a six-year break from alcoholism and substance abuse issues. Chainsaw Massacre [in 1995] with
acting, Renée returned to screens – in ‘She’s an icon.’ Matthew McConaughey – and not long
2016 with Bridget Jones’ Baby – and hasn’t after that he moved to Los Angeles.
stopped working since. You play a screen legend in Judy. At the time, I wanted to stay [at home]
In 2019, her starring role in Judy won When did you know you wanted to in Texas. I was getting some work but
the actress critical acclaim – and now be an actress? there wasn’t a lot of film that came to
the role has made Renée the hot favourite I was in college and I was on the set of town, so my opportunity to grow as an
to win this year’s Best Actress Academy a film that a student was artist was a little stifled. But eventually
Award. She’s already bagged a Golden making. There were I realised I would need to go where there
Globe, a Critics’ Choice Award and a maybe four or five RENÉE were more opportunities.
IN LOVE
Renée split with country How often do people say to you,
singer Doyle Bramhall II ‘You had me at hello’?
(left) in May 2019 after Not enough! I don’t go out much
seven years together. She’s so, you know, it would be weird if
also been linked to Jim I heard it a lot. I’ve heard it maybe
Carrey and Bradley a couple of times, but it still touches
Cooper. me. What a cool thing when you get
a line like that!
How did Jerry Maguire and the
three Bridget Jones movies change
your life?
I guess in ways I didn’t really see at the
time. After I was cast in Jerry Maguire
[alongside Tom Cruise], it was
announced in Variety mag the very
next day and that’s when I knew it was
kind of a big deal. My brother went out
to buy the mag and came back with a
whole stack – so sweet. I could cry just
thinking about it even now. Then
Bridget. I’ve done three Bridget films
and I think she’s been so special to me
because, you know, what’s not to
love about a woman who has so
