What Really Matters About Renée Zellweger
Renée Zellweger at Elle’s Women in Hollywood Awards October 2014. Photo Jason Merritt / Staff
I wasn’t going to weigh in on the madness over Renée Zellweger this week, but it’s reached such fever pitch and become so negative and toxic, that I am stepping into the arena.
High profile women often face a damned if they do, damned if they don’t dilemma when it comes to aging. Had Renée stepped out looking older than her 45-years this week, there would have been chatter about that too. Famous women are somehow expected to freeze time, and yet we expect their efforts to appear invisible. Talk about impossible. There are too many people sitting at their laptops ready to pounce and criticize women for how they look. It’s got to stop.
I am a big proponent of aging naturally and not feeling outside pressure to change your appearance. I also believe that because beauty is so tied to confidence and self-esteem, you should feel free to do whatever makes you feel good about yourself. Maybe that’s a nose job, a new hair color, or a new miracle cream. Whatever makes you feel beautiful will make you feel confident. It’s really no one’s business but your own.
The chatter over Renée was not that she looks bad, but that she looks different. Some of that is just natural aging—she has been out of the spotlight for several years. She also has probably (like millions of Americans) made some tweaks that, for all we know, she is thrilled with. Her statement to People focused on what’s important to her; she’s happy. Renée revealed that she hadn't felt that way when she was in the glare of the spotlight, but she had worked hard to finally get there. She’s in love. She’s smiling. She looks happy. Those are some things I also noticed in this week’s pictures.
I feel a bit protective because I also know what a wonderful, kind, and warm person Renée is. A few years ago she was in the Neiman Marcus shoe department trying on shoes next to one of my makeup artists who was slipping into a pair of Manolo Blahniks on her break. Renée commented on how gorgeous the shoes looked and asked if she was going to get them. My friend sighed and said, ‘Someday’ and explained that she was a makeup artist and just having fun. Later that day the shoes arrived at the counter for my friend. It was such a sweet gesture and really captures the woman Renée is—gracious and kind—and now finally happy. We should all be wishing her well.
