9 Times Renée Zellweger Stood Up for Women: "Why Do We Value Beauty Over Contribution?"

Actress is speaking out on a cause she is both passionate uniquely connected to

By McKenna Aiello Aug 24, 2016 4:57 PMTags
Watch: Renee Zellweger Talks "Bridget Jones 3"

Listen up, ladies. Renée Zellweger has your back. 

After a six-year hiatus, the actress has returned to the spotlight, making use of her Bridget Jones's Diary promotional platform to speak on a cause she is both passionate about and uniquely connected to.

Earlier this month, the media's 2014 coverage of Zellweger's seemingly altered appearance prompted the 47-year-old to pen a Huffington Post op-ed addressing the hypocrisy surrounding ageism in Hollywood. Renée has since opened a hotly-discussed dialogue on the double standard that women (and not just of the A-list variety) face in a society that, Zellweger feels, values "beauty over contribution."

Here are nine times Renée has spoken out in support of women. Feelings of empowerment, guaranteed: 

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The Hollywood Reporter

On aging: "I've never seen the maturation of a woman as a negative thing," she told The Hollywood Reporter in an August interview. "I've never seen a woman stepping into her more powerful self as a negative." 

On a woman's physical appearance: "Why are we talking about how women look? Why do we value beauty over contribution? We don't seem to value beauty over contribution for men. It's simply not a conversation," Zellweger said to the magazine. 

On the entertainment industry's misconception of women's interests: "All my girlfriends are waiting to go to films that are relatable, and I don't know why we're not making movies for [them]," Renée mused. "Whatever else may have changed in the world, we still have conversations with ourselves about how we might improve, or things we're insecure about, or our failings."

Dominique Charriau/Getty Images for Miu Miu

On addressing her critics:"I don't think there's any dignity in seeking the approval of people who you don't know and who make fun of other people," the star said in an interview with Australian news broadcast 7:30. 

On the pressure facing women to "achieve it all:"Maybe there is old school societal pressures that women feel they are being judged if they don't sort of accomplish anything," Zellweger said while speaking to Australian radio show Rove & Sam. "Now that the glass ceiling's been smashed and you can achieve this and do all these things, you're supposed to supposedly be able to do it all. And it's not necessarily true that it's possible. You have to make choices and make things a priority. 

On the perception of women: "It's no secret a woman's worth has been historically measured by her appearance," she wrote for Huffington Post in an essay titled "We Can Do Better," adding that our society has "taken for granted that women are standard bearers in all realms of high profile position and influence."

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Renée Zellweger's Best Looks

On the long-term impact of mainstream misogyny: Zellweger writes that news stories focused solely on a woman's appearance "serve as parameters around a very narrow suggested margin within which every one of us must exist in order to be considered socially acceptable and professionally valuable, and to avoid painful ridicule.

She continues, "The resulting message is problematic for younger generations and impressionable minds, and undoubtably triggers myriad subsequent issues regarding conformity, prejudice, equality, self-acceptance, bullying and health."

On her decision to speak out: "I'm writing because to be fair to myself, I must make some claim on the truths of my life, and because witnessing the transmutation of tabloid fodder from speculation to truth is deeply troubling," Zellweger wrote. 

On her solution: "Maybe we could talk more about why we seem to collectively share an appetite for witnessing people diminished and humiliated with attacks on appearance and character? Maybe we could talk more about our many true societal challenges and how we can do better?"

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