Actress Renee Zellweger has responded to criticism over her 'changing face'.

The Bridget Jones star hit the headlines yesterday (October 21) after attending ELLE's 21st annual Women in Hollywood event, with Renee barely recognisable as she hit the red carpet.

[related]With many speculating that the 45-year old has had some major surgery, Renee has now released a statement insisting she's "happy" that people think she looks different.

Speaking to PEOPLE, Zellweger claimed: "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."

Explaining her decision to discuss the speculation regarding her face, she continued: "It seems the folks who come digging around for some nefarious truth which doesn't exist won't get off my porch until I answer the door.

"My friends say that I look peaceful. I am healthy.For a long time I wasn't doing such a good job with that. I took on a schedule that is not realistically sustainable and didn't allow for taking care of myself.

"Rather than stopping to recalibrate, I kept running until I was depleted and made bad choices about how to conceal the exhaustion. I was aware of the chaos and finally chose different things."

Renee concluded: "People don't know me (as) healthy for a while. Perhaps I look different. Who doesn't as they get older?! Ha. But I am different. I'm happy."