Renée Zellweger
Time|September 30, 2019
The Oscar-winning actor on playing Judy Garland, how Bridget Jones holds up and the public scrutiny of women
Eliza Berman
Renée Zellweger
You spent two years preparing for the film Judy. What stood out as the most important thing to capture about Judy Garland?

What struck me was, despite the tragic circumstances and how they were portrayed on the public record, she never stopped hoping. She was a joyful person. She didn’t strike me as a tragic figure at all. She seemed heroic in her determination to carry on and her belief that things would get better.

In the film, her fans feel they know her, but she doesn’t appear to feel known by them. Is there a certain loneliness that comes with fame?

I’m sure it’s different for everybody. I suppose it depends on how much of your public persona and professional responsibilities consume your time vs. how much time you spend focusing on the person behind the public persona.

Is it different preparing to play a real person?

This story is from the September 30, 2019 edition of Time.

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This story is from the September 30, 2019 edition of Time.

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