Renée Zellweger Says She Took Acting Break Because She was ‘Sick’ of her Own Voice

As Bridget Jones franchise stars Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant prepare for the release of the fourth chapter of the romcom series, Zellweger details what pushed her to take a six-year acting break. Zellweger told Grant that from 2010 to 2016, she became unhappy with her southern twang, in an interview with British Vogue, and decided to pursue other interests.

“I was sick of the sound of my own voice,” Zellweger said. “When I was working, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, listen to you. Are you sad again, Renée? Oh, is this your mad voice?’ It was a regurgitation of the same emotional experiences.”

She also admitted that she avoids reading Rotten Tomatoes reviews, checking the box office or Googling her name online. She’s doesn’t have an X account, Zellweger added, and prefers to stay offline. “Why care? It’s none of my business,” said the actress.

During her six-year acting gap, Zellweger occupied her free time with songwriting and studying international law, she said. “I built a house, rescued a pair of older doggies, created a partnership that led to a production company, advocated for and fundraised with a sick friend, and spent a lot of time with family and godchildren and driving across the country with the dogs,” she shared. “I got healthy.”

By 2016, Zellweger released the third installation to the Bridget Jones series Bridget Jones’s Baby, and later starred as the legendary actress Judy Garland in the 2019 Judy biopic. The role led Zellweger to win her second Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role — she won her first Academy Award for supporting role as Ruby in Cold Mountain.

Zellweger stars in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy heading to Peacock Feb 19. In the upcoming film, Zellweger’s Bridget encounters two new love interests: 29-year-old Roxster played by Leo Woodall and school teacher Mr. Wallaker, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor.