Bridget Jones’ Diary fans were left gobsmacked upon discovering that one of the film’s stars was honoured with an Oscar nomination for their role. The beloved trilogy, featuring Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant, is set to welcome a new chapter as Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy hits cinemas on Valentine’s Day (Friday, February 14).
Yet, it was the revelation that one of the original cast members clinched an Oscar nod—and secured a win just three years later—that really took fans by surprise. A recently surfaced clip showcasing the star’s “crazy” victory, spliced with another triumph over 10 years on, has captivated romcom fans, who adored the acceptance speech at the Academy Awards.
Renée Zellweger, embodying the eponymous Bridget Jones, was nominated for her performance. Although she didn’t win that year, losing to Halle Berry in Monster’s Ball, she triumphed in the Best Supporting Actress category in 2004 for Cold Mountain.
A previous nomination for Chicago did not bag her a win, either, as she lost to Nicole Kidman for her role in The Hours.
But an awards win for her appearance in the Anthony Minghella-directed feature saw her deliver a speech that is still charming members of the public. A post to TikTok shared the speech, where Zellweger thanked the Academy for inviting her and for her awards win.
Zellweger won over Shohreh Aghdashloo in House of Sand and Fog, Patricia Clarkson in Pieces of April, Marcia Gay Harden in Mystic River, and Holly Hunter in Thirteen. One fan watching the video wrote: “How crazy is that.” Another added: “Such a classy woman.”
Zellweger would go on to win in the Best Actress category too, with her performance as Judy Garland in the 2021 biopic Judy praised at the time of its release. Her acceptance speech is featured in the TikTok video too, where the actress won her second Academy Award.
She won over Charlize Theron in Bombshell, Saoirse Ronan in Little Women, Scarlett Johansson in Marriage Story, and Cynthia Erivo in Harriet. Erivo is nominated at this year’s Academy Awards for her role in Wicked.
It comes as fans are realising Zellweger could have been replaced as Bridget Jones, with other stars tipped for the starring role in the original film. Emily Watson and Kate Winslet were both tipped for the leading role, as was Helena Bonham Carter. Fellow American actress Cameron Diaz was also suggested.
Australian stars Cate Blanchett and Toni Colette were also in the running, with the latter actress going on to work with Bridget Jones’ Diary actor Hugh Grant a short while later on About a Boy.