Renee Zellweger: 'I'm glad folks think I look different'

MANILA, Philippines – Renee Zellweger became the topic of online chatter and speculation after photos of the Hollywood star surfaced on Wednesday.

 

The photos, taken during Elle’s 21st Annual Women In Hollywood Awards event in California, show Renee in what many described as a “new look.” 

 

Headlines of entertainment publications said the “Bridget Jones” star looked “unrecognizable,” stirring rumors that the 45-year-old actress had plastic surgery work done.

 

IN PHOTOS: Renee Zellweger's dramatic transformation

 

But the 45-year-old actress, in a statement sent to entertainment website People in response to reports about her look, said she's living a “different, happy, more fulfilling life” and that “perhaps it shows.”

 

“I'm glad folks think I look different! I'm living a different, happy, more fulfilling life, and I'm thrilled that perhaps it shows,” Renee said.

 

She further told People, “My friends say that I look peaceful. I am health. For a long time I wasn't doing such a good job with that. I took on a schedule that is not realistically sustainable and didn't allow for taking care of myself. Rather than stopping to recalibrate, I kept running until I was depleted and made bad choices about how to conceal the exhaustion. I was aware of the chaos and finally chose different things.”

 

“I did work that allows for being still, making a home, loving someone, learning new things, growing as a creative person and finally growing into myself.”

 

The Elle event was the second high-profile event Renee attended recently. The actress was also seen during  the Walk to Defeat ALS event on Sunday with Reese Witherspoon and Emmy Rossun.

Renee is well-known for her roles in the movies “Jerry Maguire,” “Bridget Jones's Diary” and “Cold Mountain,” for which she won as Oscar award.