Chasing Rainbows - Why Renée Never Gave Up

How the star found her pot of gold thanks to Judy

When it comes to the Oscars, anything is possible. In past years we’ve watched many a surprise take place – hot favourites have missed out, winners have fallen over as they head to the stage or the wrong winner has been announced altogether.

So, although Renée Zellweger is the hot ticket to win Best Actress for her performance in Judy, she’s certainly not counting her chickens yet and is actually still getting her head around the fact she’s even in the race for the coveted award, given the extended break she took from acting.

Though Renée says now that acting is her life’s passion, it wasn’t always the case. In fact, it was “a big mistake” that she even fell into the industry.

“I’m a failed journalist,” she tells. “I went to school to write − I failed the typing test!”

She says becoming an actress was something of a fluke. She found huge success in films such as Jerry Maguire, the Bridget Jones series and Chicago, but while she was still hitting her stride in the business, Renée suddenly found herself burnt out. “I was unhealthy, so I had to stop,” she shares.

“I needed to take care of myself. I just hadn’t, at that time, found a way to be able to allow for those things that are important and nurturing.”

After getting away from it all, the 50-year-old says she got to a point where she felt fulfilled outside her acting career. “I recognised myself again − I had a life instead of just a profession.”

Her big comeback has been starring as the legendary Judy Garland, with the film picking up her story in the winter of 1968 when the singer/actress was broke, unemployed, and addicted to barbiturates and alcohol. The mother-of-two was also distraught over a bitter custody battle with ex-husband Sidney Luft.