Actress Renée Zellweger has reflected on her experience playing Bridget Jones, describing the role as “liberating” because it allowed her to portray a woman having authentic experiences without the pressure of looking perfect.
Speaking during a cast reunion marking the 25th anniversary of Bridget Jones’s Diary at the Tribeca Film Festival, Zellweger said the character resonated with audiences because she was a “normal girl” rather than a polished romantic-comedy heroine.
She noted that Bridget did not fit conventional beauty standards, enjoyed life’s pleasures and was comfortable being herself, which made her more relatable and attractive.
Zellweger said the role challenged expectations of what a leading lady could look like and helped redefine beauty norms on screen.
The Oscar-winning actress also said she enjoyed portraying Bridget’s flaws and imperfections, including messy hair, running mascara and emotional moments, without worrying about maintaining a perfect appearance.
She described the freedom to be natural on screen as one of the most rewarding aspects of the role. Zellweger also recalled gaining weight for the first two Bridget Jones films, while noting that the character’s obsessive calorie counting has faced criticism over the years. (IANS)
