Renee Zellwegger - fling 2001

Daily Star 18 October 2001

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Renee Zellweger loses 4 stone and wins the heart of George Clooney
by Peter Benjamin

She was the kooky singleton who charmed audiences throughout the world as she desperately sought true love as Bridget Jones.

Now, it seems, Renee Zellweger really has hooked her man - Hollywood's gorgeous George Clooney - and together they make a fabulous looking couple.

It has taken Renee a lot of work to get her body back to what it was pre-Bridget Jones's Diary. In just a few months she's shed an astonishing four stone with a punishing gym routine, nutrition programme and yoga classes. Those days of trudging around the London set of Bridget Jones wailing "I'm so fat, I'm so fat", seem long-gone.

Renee, 32, met George, 40, through mutual friends earlier this year and the pair spent much of the summer seeing each other in secret. But, as these pictures show, they seem to be finally going public with their affair.

For the Texan-born actress this could be the romance that repairs the hurt she suffered following the collapse of her relationship with Jim Carrey late last year.

Despite her astounding career success, this year and last have been traumatic for Renee - and her body has suffered as much as her mind. First, she had to put on nearly two stone, reaching more than 11 stone, to play everyone's favourite good-humoured neurotic, bingeing on pizzas and peanut butter sandwiches for added authenticity.

It was a strange time for the gym-loving actress, who was instructed to stick rigidly to a three-meals-a-day and no-exercise routine developed for her by a dietician and endocrinologist. "It was the no-exercise part that killed me," says Renee. She adds, "I was the only actress in Hollywood with weight-gain powder in my kitchen. I had to eat chocolate last thing at night, and pizza, and drink pints of Guinness. I didn't look at my naked body in the shower, that's for sure."

Then, almost as suddenly, she set about shedding the extra weight - and more. Just a few months after filming ended, she had got down to a little over seven stone. She's put a bit back on since then but, on the film's release, much was made of her new, too-slender figure, particularly at this year's Golden Globes, which she attended looking frail, and noticeably without a date.

But it may be that stepping out with one of Hollywood's hottest stars has given her the confidence she needs to stabilise her fluctuating weight. Talk of a Bridget Jones sequel has apparently been stalled only by Renee's demands that she's not asked to gain weight again for her Chardonnay-swilling, chain-smoking character. "I was overweight for eight months and I don't want to go through that experience again," she said.

"There's no question I was lonely and frustrated while I was filming. I was uprooted for almost nine months. I was away from family and friends. I didn't sound like myself and I was heavier than I have ever been. I felt alienated in my own body. Being so voluptuous was exciting and fun but at the same time completely strange."

Renee gained her pounds under the strict supervision of a London physician who she affectionately calls "My Fat Doc". "I told him what I wanted to accomplish. He did the maths. I had to eat a certain amount of calories each day to put the weight on slowly so my whole body would fill out. But by the middle of filming it became almost forced feeding. It got to the point when I'd think: 'Please don't make me eat another Snickers bar. I'm going to be sick.'"

The weight gain undoubtedly helped her get inside the skin of her character, but once filming was over it was the source of disappointment. She was reportedly due to appear on the cover of Harper's Bazaar but to her disappointment the photos were never used. Apparently this was because "she looked very uncomfortable with her image and as a result, it didn't make for an inviting cover".

This rejection seemed to spur Renee on to lose the weight that had been so necessary for the role and, in turn, may have helped her catch the ever-roving eye of George Clooney.

"I simply started eating the way I always had and going back to the gym," explains Renee. "I depend on my time at the gym. It's my dumpster. I go there, dump off all the crap in my life and then go home refreshed. I'm also addicted to yoga. It's a huge part of my regimen."

Renee and George first met in March and, at her 32nd birthday party in April, they danced the night away. Things seemed to cool off while he was filming Ocean's Eleven in Las Vegas, but recently they've been spotted dining together in LA, where they both have homes, while a friend of his has said Renee's been a regular visitor at George's house.

It took the actress around six months to rebound from her painful separation from Jim Carrey. They began dating shortly after completing filming Me, Myself & Irene together in 1999. The relationship floundered when Renee relocated to London to film Bridget Jones.

When she returned to Hollywood she was adamant that her disappointing love life wasn't a cause for concern. "I haven't had a date for five months and couldn't be happier. I bought a new house and want to get it in order," she said in February.

"It's other people who are obsessed about my break-up. I don't care. I don 't think about it. It's about a heart. It's about a soul. I still have both. Whatever will happen, will happen. We'll just all have to wait and see. I'll be in my glory when I have a child on my knee. I'm just not certain how to find all that just yet. I won't give up looking until I do."

In George, she has found a man even more high profile than Jim, a fact which is unlikely to worry her. "I don't care any more. There was a time when the prospect of a celebrity relationship would have worried me but that's all past. Once your life has been weird, it's all just varying degrees of weirdness," she's said.

Renee has never been married and has dated sparingly. George, however, was married to actress Talia Balsam from 1989 to 1992. Prior to that he was involved with Kelly Preston, while since his divorce, he's had a string of relationships. Denise Crosby and DeDee Pfeiffer are two of the women he's dated, while his longest post-marriage relationship was with French model Celine Balitran, from 1996 to 1999. Only recently, he split from British model Lisa Snowdon.

It's not for nothing that George has called himself "a confirmed bachelor who can't live without the company of a woman". It remains to be seen whether Bridget Jones can persuade him to settle down at last.

GEORGE CLOONEY, the world’s most famous bachelor, is dating the world’s most famous singleton, Renee Zellweger. The couple have been an item for more than a month and Renee has practically moved into George’s Hollywood Hills home.

I first revealed a romantic spark when the couple smooched at Renee’s 32nd birthday party last May when George was still dating British model and MTV babe Lisa Snowdon. The couple slow-danced and held hands.

But Renee — who became an international star thanks to her lead movie role as boyfriendhungry Bridget Jones — went home alone that night.

Their romance was rekindled a month ago when George, who split with Lisa in June, offered to cook Renee dinner.

Since then they have enjoyed intimate meals three or four times a week at George’s home — nicknamed Casa Clooney — as they tried to keep their romance secret.

George’s best pal, actor Tommy Hinkley, said: “Renee has been up at the house with George loads of times recently.

“They are definitely hanging out a lot and seeing each other. I like Renee loads — she is such a fun, charming person.”

But if Renee — who was previously engaged to funnyman Jim Carrey — has any ideas about marriage to her new lover, Tommy reckons she may be disappointed. He told Heat magazine: “George has said he won’t get married.

“I hope he settles down with her because I know how wonderful it is to be in loved. But that is George’s choice.”

The only permanent fixture in George’s life is his pet potbellied pig Max, which sleeps in his bedroom.

LouisLane wrote:Oh Melbert... Tommy says loads a lot and George says "you know" and "the truth of the matter" a lot too...

melbert wrote:Our man does have a few quirks, doesn't he?

From showbiz spy

Posted by Adam

Friday June 24, 2011

GEORGE Clooney could very well end up married to Renee Zellweger!

The actor — who recently announced his split from girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis — has already confided in close pal Renee who has been quick to remind him of a pact they once made.

“Years ago, after George and Renee dated, they jokingly made a vow that they would marry each other if it turned out no one else would have them,” reveals a source close to Clooney.

“Now George is single, Renee has joked that maybe the time has come to make do. The truth is they are the best of friends and get on so well together so you never know.”

“We are not together anymore. It’s very difficult and very personal, and we hope everyone can respect our privacy,” Clooney and Canalis said in a joint statement Wednesday.

The couple began dating in July 2009 and were last spotted out in May to celebrate the actor’s 50th birthday.

Cinderella wrote:I haven't seen him pick on his cuticles lately... has anyone else?

Joanna wrote:I've always liked George & Renee together anyone ???

May 2001 From The Sun?

THE world's most famous singleton, Renée Zellweger, has grabbed the attention
of the world's most famous bachelor - George Clooney.

The actress, who stars in the smash hit UK movie Bridget Jones's Diary, was
spotted smooching with the heart-throb actor at her 32nd birthday party on
Saturday.

It seems Renée could give Bridget a lesson in attracting sexy men - George
pawed her and whispered sweet nothings in her ear ALL NIGHT as stars, including
Tom Cruise, Jay Leno and Helen Hunt, looked on.

Ladykiller George, who is dating MTV's Brit presenter Lisa Snowdon, made a
beeline for Renée at the bash at seedy 3 Clubs, in LA's East Side.

He refused to leave her side all night and danced with her cheek-to-cheek for
more than half an hour.

The Perfect Storm star also wandered around the party holding Renée's hand or
putting his arm around her as they mingled.

But in true Bridget style, Renée later told friends: "I am so drunk I just want
to go home to my bed." They told her: "You don't have to do anything with him
you don't want to."

An onlooker said: "Renée and George looked more than just good friends. They
slow-danced for six consecutive songs and she kept giggling as he whispered in
her ear.

"He patrolled the party with his arm around her. They spent most of their time
together."

I'm told they didn't go as far as snogging, but girlfriend Lisa is bound to
quiz George about the party when she joins him in LA for his 40th birthday next
week - especially as he's admitted having problems with commitment. V, v, bad
news George!

From NY daily news

3 October 2001

LISA OUT, RENEE IN
It seems to be heating up between George Clooney and Renee Zellweger. The two did some dance-floor nuzzling at her 32nd-birthday party back in May, when Clooney was still seeing British model Lisa Snowden. Now Zellweger has been visiting his Hollywood Hills spread three or four times a week.
Clooney's pal Tommy Hinkley, who stays in his guesthouse, told Heat magazine, "They are definitely hanging out a lot and seeing each other. The thing is, George has said that he won't get married." Reps for Clooney and Zellweger declined comment.
If Renee, who broke off her engagement to Jim Carrey last December, does have long-term plans with Gorgeous George, she had better get used to his potbellied pig, Max, who is said to have come between him and Snowden.

October 2001

World Entertainment News Network

RENEE ZELLWEGER has tamed Hollywood playboy GEORGE CLOONEY, and the couple
are all set to move in together.

Rather than jump in at the deep end, the loved-up pair plan to live together
as a trial before deciding upon marriage.

A friend of the lovers says, "George and Renee are in love.

"They've decided to move in together, but it's more than just living
together. It's more of a trial marriage to see what happens."

Clooney has enjoyed a number of high profile flings of late, the latest of
which with British model LISA SNOWDON ended in June.

Now, the THREE KINGS star is smitten. He says, "Renee is the most confident
woman I know. She's funny as hell and as sexy as they come."

Zellweger was recently spotted buying a pregnancy test in a West Hollywood
store - adding fuel to reports that she is soon to become to proud wearer of
a wedding ring.

A friend of the BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY star says, "Her biological clock is
ticking and she reckons George is the perfect male specimen - so anything's
possible!"

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From SF Gate

Clooney mum about relationship / 'Ocean's Eleven' star says Zellweger's a 'good friend'

November 23, 2001|Ruthe Stein

George Clooney and Renee Zellweger don't need Thanksgiving as a reminder to be thankful for each other. Zellweger recently gushed that "as good-looking as George is, he's 50 times nicer." So what does Gorgeous George have to say about her? "Renee is one of the sweetest persons I know. She lights up a room. I watch her and I watch people reacting to her when she comes into a room. She's a Southern girl, so she is really polite, but she also understands about how to make people happy."

From India Online

Renee Zellweger dumps Clooney

Nov 16, 2001

renee zellweger has split from george clooney after just two months together. zellweger has moved out of clooney's hollywood mansion after a string of rows. reveals a friend, "there's a chance they could get back together, but george has always been a party animal and a flirt. it's hard to deal with." friends of the couple also believe that clooney's close friendship with julia roberts has put the relationship under pressure. seems like clooney has more than one pretty woman in his life.

January 2003

The rekindled romance between Hollywood superstars George Clooney and Renee
Zellweger seems to be heating up after he presented her with a beautiful
bracelet. The gift, a $30,000 diamond bracelet, was presented to the Chicago
star at Christmas after the pair began dating again. And Zellweger wore it to
the prestigious Golden Globe Awards where she collected her Best Actress gong.
A friend says, "Renee was stunned. It's not the type of gift you'd give to a
casual girlfriend. It definitely said something about how deep George's
feelings have become for Renee." The glitzy couple first dated last year
shortly after she broke off her engagement to funnyman Jim Carrey. The friend
continues, "It was a rebound romance, and neither George nor Renee was ready at
the time to be involved in anything more serious. But then they bumped into
each other before Christmas and realized they still had feelings for each
other. George has recently been saying that he feels ready to commit."

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May 2003

WENN NEWS....

Renee Zellweger is definitely not dating fellow Hollywood star George Clooney -
because she'd proudly tell the world if she was. Despite persistent reports the
pair are enjoying a secret romance, both actors have maintained they are simply
'just good friends' - and Zellweger believes their proof is the fact she'd be
more than willing to admit to a relationship with George, if it did happen. She
reasons, "Why would I sit repeatedly and say Oh no, he's not my boyfriend? If
George Clooney was my boyfriend I'd be, 'Have you met my boyfriend - George
Clooney' What girl wouldn't? "No I'm not dating him. And it's such a shame
because everyone should be dating George Clooney. He's wonderful. He's a dear
person in my life. He's a mentor. He's a best friend. I count on him. He
inspires me. "When I feel like giving up he rekindles my faith in humanity -
because he always does the right thing."

From Contact music

Zellweger Denies Clooney Romance

23 October 2007

Actress RENEE ZELLWEGER insists there is no romance between her and GEORGE CLOONEY - just a shared love of politics and letter-writing. The pair reportedly dated in 2003 after Zellweger split from fiancé Jim Carrey. But now the Bridget Jones star, 38, reveals her and Clooney, 46, are more than just friends - they are pen pals. She says, "We have a lovely relationship. I write him six-page e-mails about my political rage, and he writes back, and cares too."

Joanna wrote:
Who needs fireworks and lovey dovey sessions all the time ???

After skirting around the subject for a while, I ask her to name the most glamorous party she's ever been to. There's a long pause before she says: "I suppose George's 40th was quite glamorous."

How did an ordinary English girl pull George Clooney? Lisa, what Company readers, and womankind in general, want to know is: how the hell did you do it? "I don't know" she laughs. "I really don't. You'll have to ask him. I've got his number here."

The tabloid stories have come thick and fast. I ask her to clarify a few. No, she's never kissed Dane Bowers, No, she hasn't agreed to pose for Playboy, though she'd consider it ("I have no problem with nudity"). Yes, she did have her appendix out (she lifts her top to reveal a white scar). And no, George didn't rush to her bedside ("Of course not. He was filming in America, I was in London!").

So has she seen him since she's been in LA? "None of your business" she replies, though she later relents and tells me they've been out
for dinner, but that he's filming in Canada at the moment. She's even met Zellweger socially ("She's lovely - a great actress and a nice girl").

So is George with Renee now? "I really can't comment on something like that" says Lisa, though she says tellingly, "Look, he's been linked with a lot of women. If it's not Renee, it's Julia. If it's not Julia, it's Nicole. They're always connecting him to some A-list celebrity, saying he's a playboy. It's just funny."

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PHOTOS/ George Clooney's Famous Friends

Renee Zellwegger
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The actress swears Clooney really is a great guy. "I know it's shocking in this day and age that there's no scandal," she once told People magazine. "He's just nice and he works very, very hard."

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The pair have been friends for ten years and they've been romantically linked in the past, prompting Zellweger, 38, to joke: "We're married! Didn't you hear? The baby's coming in July. Why do you think I'm wearing this baggy jacket?"

In all seriousness, though, she thinks Clooney, 46, is a "good man," saying: "It's just his natural disposition ... he does the right thing, it's almost a disease with him. I know it's shocking in this day and age that there's no scandal. He's just nice and he works very, very hard."

Katiedot wrote:Eonline are digging up old stories this week:

melbert wrote:

Katiedot wrote:Eonline are digging up old stories this week: