The actress has commented on her new look and the reaction it garnered from people.

"I'm glad folks think I look different! I'm living a different, happy, more fulfilling life, and I'm thrilled that perhaps it shows," Renee Zellweger said in a statement to People.

"My friends say that I look peaceful. I am healthy," she added in the same report.

According to Zellweger, her new look is brought about by a healthier lifestyle.

"I did work that allows for being still, making a home, loving someone, learning new things, growing as a creative person and finally growing into myself," she told People.

She also said in the statement: "Perhaps I look different. Who doesn't as they get older?! Ha. But I am different. I'm happy." 

Zellweger is highly known for her portrayal of Bridget Jones in "Bridget Jones's Diary." The actress consciously gained weight for the movie, which gained a sequel, "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason."

"The slender actress famously embarked on a 4,000 calorie-a-day diet to load on 20lbs in just a few months to play Bridget Jones (twice) - then, as swiftly as she gained the curves, her weight plummeted to a sinewy size zero," Mail Online said in a 2011 report.

The result was the signature squint and pouty lips which most fans no longer saw when she graced the red carpet at ELLE's Women in Hollywood Awards in Beverly Hills on Monday. 

The actress described the chatter regarding her new look as "silly", said People. Zellweger didn't directly dismissed plastic surgery rumors but implied that rest and a fit lifestyle certainly played a part.

The health implications of such drastic diet might have led Zellweger to be more health-conscious too, especially as she's already in her mid forties.

Back in 2007, the actress was quoted as saying in a separate Mail Online report:

"I had a panic attack with all the specialists talking about how bad this is for you, long term, putting on that much weight in short periods of time and they're all saying, 'You must stop this now or you're going to die'."

Does that mean no more "Bridget Jones's Diary 3" for the actress?

E! News caught up with Zellweger during an ALS Walk event where the actress said a third movie "would be fun."

Asked if she'll star in the same headlining role, she responded: "I have no idea. I'm not being cagey. I just don't know."

Hugh Grant also decided not to do the third film, added E! News.