Renee Zellweger has gotten a lot of attention lately after revealing her new look at the 21st annual Elle Women In Hollywood Awards on Monday night.

Renee took a break from Hollywood and filming after finishing My Own Song in 2010. Renee has dealt with rumors and criticism over her appearance in the past and she said it’s just one of those things that come with the job.

She told People that she feels good about the way she looks and more importantly, she is happy and healthy and embracing her new appearance.

“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,” she said.

Renee Zellweger responds to your reactions about her face: http://t.co/QpAAArF20S pic.twitter.com/YQxicQcr9G

— ELLE Magazine (US) (@ELLEmagazine) October 22, 2014

She went on to say that the people close to her agree that she looks different, but also think she seems happier and healthier.

“My friends say that I look peaceful. I am healthy,” Zellweger added. “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.”

Rennee Zellweger on how she dramatically changed her appearance http://t.co/meVnOrjLdb pic.twitter.com/lEWVDrWdjy

— Cosmopolitan UK (@CosmopolitanUK) October 22, 2014

She also reminded everyone that she is now in her 40’s and that everyone’s appearance changes as they age.

“People don’t know me [as] healthy for a while,” said Zellweger. “Perhaps I look different. Who doesn’t as they get older?! Ha. But I am different. I’m happy.”

Do you think her looks changed naturally?