Renée Zellweger Opens Up About Six-Year Break, San Diego Romance, and Bridget’s Comeback
Hollywood darling Renée Zellweger doesn’t shy away from candid moments. In her recent British Vogue Q&A with her Bridget Jones’s Diary co-star Hugh Grant, the actress opened up about her six-year break from acting, life lessons learned along the way, and why she’s ready to reprise her iconic role as the lovably chaotic Bridget Jones.
Taking a step back from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood wasn’t an impulsive decision for Zellweger. “Because I needed to,” she admitted during the interview. “I was sick of the sound of my own voice. When I was working, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, listen to you. Are you sad again, Renée? Oh, is this your mad voice?” she quipped, describing her exhaustion from repeating the same emotional experiences.
Hugh Grant chimed in by asking, “What did you do with the time off? Nothing?” But Zellweger was quick to set the record straight, revealing that her so-called break was anything but idle.
“No, no, no. I wrote music and studied international law,” she shared. “I built a house, rescued a pair of older doggies, created a partnership that led to a production company, advocated for and fund-raised with a sick friend, and spent a lot of time with family and godchildren and driving across the country with the dogs. I got healthy.”
The Price of Stardom
The pressures of celebrity life had taken a toll on Zellweger’s well-being. She previously told Vulture in 2019 that her hiatus stemmed from putting herself last. “I wasn’t healthy. I wasn’t taking care of myself. I was the last thing on my list of priorities,” she said.
“I needed to not have something to do all the time,” she explained. “There had to be some quiet for the ideas to slip in.”
Bridget Is Back
Zellweger also expressed excitement at the prospect of releasing Bridget Jones’ fourth installment in February.
“I love her. And her story is not finished,” she said enthusiastically. “As long as Helen [Fielding] puts pen to paper, she’s alive.” Teasing what’s to come, she added, “I guess we catch up with everyone later in life. Life has changed, they’ve changed. Bridget’s a mom.”
Love in San Diego
In a rare moment, the actress mentioned her boyfriend, Ant Anstead, when Grant asked about her decision to live near San Diego. “Because that’s where my fellow lives, and his little boy,” she said sweetly.
The couple, who’ve been dating since 2021, seem to be thriving. Anstead shares a 5-year-old son, Hudson, with former wife Christina Hall, along with two older kids from a previous marriage.
From rediscovering herself during her time off to stepping back into the spotlight as Bridget, Zellweger’s proves she’s more than ready for her second act.
