Renee Zellweger: 'I am different. I'm happy'

Renee Zellweger before and after. Photo / Getty

Renee Zellweger has reacted to speculation that she has undergone plastic surgery - and she's pleased that the public have noticed that she looks "different".

The actress' appearance became an internet talking point after she attended the Elle Women in Hollywood Awards in Beverly Hills on Monday.

"I'm glad folks think I look different!" she said.

"I'm living a different, happy, more fulfilling life, and I'm thrilled that perhaps it shows."

She says that any aesthetic changes reflect her newfound inner positivity and contentment, after having readjusted her work-life balance.

"My friends say that I look peaceful. I am healthy," Zellweger told People.

"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."

She eventually became aware of the "chaos" and "chose different things", including a slower-paced, more fulfilling lifestyle.

"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," she continued.

She chose to address the speculation because "it seems the folks who come digging around for some nefarious truth which doesn't exist won't get off my porch until I answer the door".

Regardless of any judgemental criticism, Zellweger is more at peace with herself than ever.

"People don't know me [as] healthy for a while," says Zellweger. "Perhaps I look different. Who doesn't as they get older?! Ha. But I am different. I'm happy."

In 2013, the actress was forced to comment on other speculation about her appearance, after it was reported that she was suffering from an eating disorder.

She branded the speculation "very unfair and disappointing", adding that "It's not very pleasant to read reports which say you've gone too far or this or that."

- Independent