Renee Zellweger Slams Those Speculating About Her Facial Appearance In Huffington Post Blog

The 'Bridget Jones' actress was the subject of intense speculation in 2014.

Renee Zellweger has hit back at those questioning her facial appearance over the last two years, clarifying she has had no eye surgery, and saying that she wishes to “make some claim on the truths of my life”.

The ‘Bridget Jones’ actress has followed Jennifer Aniston’s lead in penning a powerful blog on the Huffington Post website, titled ‘We Can Do Better’, in which she questions the motives behind those discussing her appearance.

She writes: “In October 2014, a tabloid newspaper article reported that I’d likely had surgery to alter my eyes… In the interest of tabloid journalism, which profits from the chaos and scandal it conjures and injects into people’s lives and their subsequent humiliation, the truth is reduced to representing just one side of the fictional argument.”

Open Image Modal
Renee laments that she has been forced to speak out, lest she be thought a liar through her silence
Scott Dudelson via Getty Images

Renee laments that she has been forced to speak out to defend herself, lest she be thought a liar by keeping her silence:

“Choosing the dignity of silence rather than engaging with the commerce of cruel fiction, leaves one vulnerable not only to the usual ridicule, but to having the narrative of one’s life hijacked by those who profiteer from invented scandal.”

She adds that she did not have eye surgery, but “that the possibility alone was discussed among respected journalists and became a public conversation is a disconcerting illustration of news/entertainment confusion and society’s fixation on physicality”.

Renee rounds off her blog with an impassioned appeal for air time to be concentrated on “why we seem to collectively share an appetite for witnessing people diminished and humiliated with attacks on appearance and character and how it impacts younger generations and struggles for equality”.

Jennifer Aniston recently expressed herself in equally powerful terms following speculation that she might be pregnant after she was photographed in a bikini on holiday. Read Jen’s blog here.

Tap the first picture below to open our slideshow:

Dramatic Movie Transformations
Charlize Theron, "Monster" (2003)(01 of26)
Open Image Modal
Who knew makeup could turn one of Hollywood's most beautiful people into someone so unrecognizable? When Charlize appeared on screen as serial killer Aileen Wuornos we couldn't believe our eyes. She went on to win the Oscar for Best Actress, an accolade we think was well deserved. (credit:Remstar Films)
Charlize Theron, 2004(02 of26)
Open Image Modal
Holding her Best Actress statue for her role in "Monster." (credit:Getty Editorial)
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady" (2011)(03 of26)
Open Image Modal
Streep has been nominated more than any actor ever for both the Oscars and the Golden Globes -- 18 times and 28 times respectively -- so we're used to seeing her take on a variety of roles. In 2011, she transformed into "The Iron Lady" herself, Margaret Thatcher, and gave an Oscar-winning performance. (credit:Alliance Films)
Meryl Streep 2012(04 of26)
Open Image Modal
Showing off her award for Best Actress at the 84th annual Academy Awards. (credit:Getty Editorial)
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs" (2011)(05 of26)
Open Image Modal
Glenn Close played a woman posing as a man in 2011's "Albert Nobbs." The actress truly disappeared into the role and earned herself a Best Supporting Actress nomination. Unfortunately, she didn't take home the award, but she was up against some stiff competition (re: Meryl Streep). (credit:E1 Films)
Glenn Close, 2012(06 of26)
Open Image Modal
Walking the red carpet at the 84th annual Academy Awards show, where she was nominated for her role in "Albert Nobbs." (credit:Getty Editorial)
Hilary Swank, "Boys Don't Cry" (1999)(07 of26)
Open Image Modal
Hilary Swank transformed into Brandon Teena -- the real-life transgender man the film was about -- and won the Best Actress statue for her moving portrayal. (credit:Fox Searchlight)
Hilary Swank, 2000(08 of26)
Open Image Modal
The actress posing with her Oscar after winning for her role in "Boys Don't Cry." (credit:Getty Editorial)
Jared Leto, "Dallas Buyers Club" (2013)(09 of26)
Open Image Modal
Jared Leto lost a ton of weight and bleached off his eyebrows to play the role of transgender AIDS victim Rayon in "Dallas Buyers Club." (He even put away his man bun!). The role won the actor/singer a Golden Globe, as well as an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. (credit:Instagram)
Jared Leto, 2014(10 of26)
Open Image Modal
Jared Leto holding his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. (credit:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Mariah Carey, "Precious" (2009)(11 of26)
Open Image Modal
Though Mariah herself wasn't nominated for an Oscar for her role as a social worker in "Precious," we're giving her an honourable mention because the film was an awards season favourite. And it's not every day you see the diva totally made-under. (credit:Lionsgate)
Mariah Carey, 2010(12 of26)
Open Image Modal
The diva looking like her usual (fabulous) self. (credit:Getty Editorial)
Javier Bardem, "No Country For Old Men" (2007)(13 of26)
Open Image Modal
Javier Bardem technically didn't do too much to change for his role in "No Country For Old Men," but he was lucky enough to receive one of the worst haircuts in movie history. But he got the last laugh when he scooped up the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. (credit:Alliance Films)
Javier Bardem, 2008(14 of26)
Open Image Modal
Javier holding up his Oscar for Best Actor after winning for his role in "No Country For Old Men." (credit:Getty Editorial)
Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012)(15 of26)
Open Image Modal
Heath Ledger took the role of The Joker to new heights with his evil portrayal of the sinister villain (a far cry from Jack Nicholson's character in 1989). The role was one of his last before his tragic death in 2008, and he became only the second actor to take home an Oscar posthumously, winning for Best Supporting Actor. (credit:Warner Bros. Entertainment)
Heath Ledger, 2006(16 of26)
Open Image Modal
Heath Ledger in 2006. (credit:Getty Editorial)
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" (2011)(17 of26)
Open Image Modal
Rooney Mara's turn as Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher's "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" was definitely a career booster for the young actress. It was her first major role and it landed her an Oscar nom for Best Actress. Once she chopped her hair, dyed it black, bleached her brows, and got some new piercings, it was hard not to notice Rooney. (credit:Sony Pictures)
Rooney Mara, 2012(18 of26)
Open Image Modal
Rooney on the red carpet at the 84th Academy Awards show where she was nominated for Best Actress for her role in "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo." (credit:Getty Editorial)
Gwyneth Paltrow, "Shakespeare In Love" (1998)(19 of26)
Open Image Modal
Gwyneth Paltrow is yet another actress who won an Oscar for a role in which she posed as a male. Gwynnie jumped back and forth between male and female throughout the film, which added to the impressive role, but it was the moustache that sold it for us. (We're sure that's why she won!) (credit:Alliance Atlantis)
Gwyneth Paltrow, 1999(20 of26)
Open Image Modal
Gwyneth holding her statue after winning Best Actress for "Shakespeare In Love" at the 71st Academy Awards. (credit:Getty Editorial)
Christian Bale, "The Fighter" (2010)(21 of26)
Open Image Modal
If there's one actor in Hollywood who can be described as a chameleon, it's Christian Bale. Whether he's losing weight to play a drug addict (seen here for "The Fighter"), bulking up to play Batman, or sporting a beer-belly and a comb-over as a 1970s con artist in "American Hustle", Bale disappears into every role he signs up for. (credit:Alliance Films)
Christian Bale, 2011(22 of26)
Open Image Modal
Christian Bale holds his Oscar statue after winning for his role in "The Fighter." (credit:Getty Editorial)
Melissa Leo, "The Fighter" (2010)(23 of26)
Open Image Modal
When Melissa Leo appeared in "The Fighter" she looked like a completely different person -- that over-bleached and puffy hair really made her character. The actress won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and was so surprised that she dropped the F-bomb during her acceptance speech. (credit:Alliance Films)
Melissa Leo, 2011(24 of26)
Open Image Modal
Holding her award for Best Supporting Actress after winning for her role in "The Fighter." (credit:Getty Editorial)
Marion Cotillard, "La Vie En Rose" (2007)(25 of26)
Open Image Modal
What a difference changing your eyebrows makes, right? Marion was almost unrecognizable as French singer Edith Piaf in "La Vie En Rose." She won the award for Best Actress, which helped make her a household name. And she also happened to be wearing one of the best dresses of the night (Gaultier!). (credit:TVA Films)
Marion Cotillard, 2008(26 of26)
Open Image Modal
Marion posing with her gold statue after winning Best Actress for her role as Edith Piaf "La Vie En Rose." (credit:Getty Editorial)