Renée Zellweger is our British Vogue Cover Star!

Summary

Episode Summary: "Renée Zellweger is our British Vogue Cover Star!"

Release Date: January 30, 2025
Podcast: The Run-Through with Vogue
Hosts: Chioma Nnadi (Choma) and Chloe Malle
Guest: Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant, Olivia Marks

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Introduction to the Episode

In this engaging episode of The Run-Through with Vogue, hosts Chioma Nnadi and Chloe Malle delve into the latest British Vogue issue featuring Renée Zellweger as the cover star. The conversation seamlessly blends high fashion insights with behind-the-scenes stories, offering listeners an exclusive look into Vogue's vibrant world.

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British Vogue Feature with Renée Zellweger

The episode kicks off with an enthusiastic discussion about Renée Zellweger's prominent feature in the latest British Vogue issue. Choma expresses her excitement, especially as a Bridget Jones fan, highlighting the synergy between Renée's acting prowess and her fashion sensibilities.

Notable Quote:

Choma (00:57): "I'm a huge Bridget Jones fan, so this is very exciting for me."

Renée shares insights about her experience working on the Vogue issue, mentioning the delightful interview conducted by none other than Hugh Grant. She praises Hugh's editorial prowess and their camaraderie during the shoot, likening their interaction to friends having cocktails together.

Notable Quote:

Renée Zellweger (01:16): "...it was gold. Like, it was kind of listening in on two friends having, like, cocktails."

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Highlights from Paris Couture Week

Renée provides a comprehensive overview of Paris Couture Week, sharing her firsthand experiences attending various high-profile shows. She emphasizes the grandeur of the Schiaparelli show, highlighting Kendall Jenner's role in closing the event and the theatrical ambiance that set the tone for the week.

Notable Quote:

Renée Zellweger (04:00): "It's always sort of ultra feminine, ultra theatrical... like a couture kind of like a modern couture experience."

She also discusses Maria Grazia Chiuri's latest collection for Dior, noting the historical silhouettes and modern twists, such as panniers and mini hoop skirts that continue Valentino's legacy of grandeur.

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Spotlight on Valentino's First Couture Show by Alessandro Michele

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Valentino's inaugural couture show under Alessandro Michele's direction. Renée describes the show's dramatic elements, from the immersive staging in a narrow, darkened room to the extravagant designs that epitomized modern couture.

Notable Quote:

Renée Zellweger (07:43): "Every. All that sort of opulence and extravagance and fantasy that we expect to see with Alessandro Michele at Valentino, just like on steroids."

She praises Michele's ability to blend philosophical concepts with fashion, referencing a quote from Umberto Eco that opened the show and discussing the multi-generational cast that added depth to the presentation.

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Personal Experiences and Fashion Explorations in Paris

Renée shares her personal adventures in Paris, including dinners with influential figures like Claire Thompson-Johnville, the newly appointed Editor of French Vogue. She also explores Parisian boutiques, notably the new Alaïa store on Rue Santana, and indulges in a curated shopping experience at Zara's concept store, 117 Rubac Group.

Notable Quote:

Renée Zellweger (12:14): "I bought some... coated white Zara jeans because they looked really fab. And then I got these kind of vintage inspired silk pajamas from this Zara home collection."

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Announcement: Glenn Martens as Maison Margiela's New Creative Director

The hosts announce the appointment of Glenn Martens as the new creative director at Maison Margiela. They discuss Martens' compatibility with Margiela's legacy, citing his previous work with Y Project and his ability to reimagine everyday garments into extraordinary pieces.

Notable Quote:

Renée Zellweger (13:51): "He makes them extraordinary in a way that I think Margiela also did."

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Choma's Personal Stories and Trending Topics

Choma interjects with personal anecdotes, including her visit to the largest canine convention in the United States and her fascination with the blooming corpse flower Petruccia, a TikTok sensation known for its unique appearance and pungent aroma. The conversation also touches upon the Sundance Film Festival's evolving fashion trends and the excitement surrounding this year's Grammys.

Notable Quote:

Choma (15:56): "You know, Doja Cat, and they were fab."

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In-Depth Interview: Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant on "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy"

The heart of the episode features an engaging interview with Renée Zellweger and co-star Hugh Grant about the much-anticipated film, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. They discuss the film's themes, Renée's portrayal of Bridget as a single mother navigating new beginnings, and the personal dynamics between Renée and Hugh.

Notable Quotes:

Hugh Grant (21:09): "Just catching up with Bridget and this new chapter in her life."

Renée Zellweger (22:56): "How much of yourselves and that kind of amazing dynamic that you have did you initially bring to the original film?"

The duo shares lighthearted stories, including humorous exchanges about their on-set chemistry and personal gift-giving antics, which add a layer of authenticity and warmth to their discussion.

Notable Quote:

Hugh Grant (26:42): "That's well put."

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Fashion and Style Insights

The conversation shifts back to fashion as Renée discusses her styling session for the Vogue shoot. She emphasizes the shift towards tailoring and away from overly romantic or whimsical designs, aligning with current runway trends. Hugh Grant elaborates on the collaborative process with stylist Petra Flannery, highlighting the importance of feeling comfortable and authentic in one's attire.

Notable Quote:

Renée Zellweger (34:00): "It's about empowerment. It's about expression."

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Favorite Rom-Coms and Legacy of Bridget Jones

Concluding the episode, Renée and Hugh share their favorite romantic comedies, reflecting on the enduring legacy of Bridget Jones. They express their love for the genre, citing classics like Philadelphia Story and contemporary favorites penned by Richard Curtis.

Notable Quote:

Hugh Grant (40:13): "Whenever there's a new one coming out, I sort of run to it. I'm such a fan of the genre."

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Closing Thoughts

The episode wraps up with heartfelt thanks from Renée to the hosts and excitement for the film's release. The hosts acknowledge the delightful interaction between Renée and Hugh, hinting at potential future collaborations. The pervasive theme throughout the episode is the harmonious blend of fashion, film, and personal storytelling, encapsulating Vogue's commitment to celebrating creativity and authenticity.

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Produced by: Chelsea Daniel, Alex DePalma, Joanna Solotarov
Engineered by: Jake Loomis, Pran Bondi, James Yost
Mixed by: Mike Kutchman
Executive Producer: Stephanie Kariuki
Head of Global Audio: Chris Bannon (Conde Nast)

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Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been omitted to focus on the episode's core discussions and highlights.

Transcript

[Chloe]

This episode of the Run through is brought to you by eBay. EBay. It's the place to fall in love with new, pre loved vintage and rare fashion over and over again, your favorite designers, expertly authenticated. Yes, ebay. Things people love.

[Choma]

Choma. Chloe, I'm so excited for today's episode. And it looks like you are in the Paris Vogue office.

[Renee Zellweger]

Is that right? I am indeed in the Paris Vogue office.

[Hugh Grant]

Ugh.

[Choma]

I feel like it was just a heartbeat away that the two of us were there on a blistering hot day after Vogue World recording on the terrace.

[Renee Zellweger]

It is definitely not hot and blistering today. It is pouring it down with rain. And the balcony that we took a photo on is, like, completely drenched and cold. And it's a very cloudy vista from where I'm sitting.

[Choma]

Oh, no. But in sunnier news, today's episode is so fun. It's with your cover star, Renee Zellweger. Choma, will you tell me a little bit about this issue? I'm a huge Bridget Jones fan, so this is very exciting for me.

[Renee Zellweger]

Same. And I feel like in releasing this issue out into the world, I've discovered so many other kind of like Bridget Jones, like, secret Bridget Jones. You know, one of the really exciting things about this issue, aside from the fact that Tony Goodman, who is a good friend of Renee, starred the COVID with Nikolai Von. Von Bismarck. Besides that, the interview was conducted by none other than Hugh Grant. It is, yeah. And it's so hilarious. And Hugh was worked with my colleague Olivia Marks. And, you know, he's a tough edit. He doesn't like any changes not to be approved. And he's very particular. And it was just gold. Like, it was kind of listening in on two friends having, like, cocktails.

[Choma]

Ugh. It was so much fun. I love Hugh and I just. I read the whole story imagining his voice reading it, and it was delightful.

[Renee Zellweger]

It runs quite long, and we had a hard time sort of like, deciding what to cut because there was such good stuff.

[Choma]

And the new Bridget Jones movie, Mad about the Boy is coming out, I think, on Valentine's Day, or at least that's when it's coming out in the U.S. yes.

[Renee Zellweger]

And we have a screening next, actually, this Friday that I'm hosting with Renee, which is going to be fun. So I'm going to get to actually see the film before everyone else.

[Choma]

I'm jealous. Very jealous.

[Renee Zellweger]

No, I'm excited. I'm excited.

[Choma]

All right, the headlines of the week. Choma, you are in Paris.

[Chloe]

Tell us why.

[Renee Zellweger]

So it is couture week here in Paris. And I've been here since a very late Sunday night. So I came in time for the Schiaparelli show, which is obviously the sort of, like, biggest kickoff for a couture. There was a Giacomo show on the weekend, but Monday was like. And several men's shows running through the weekend. But Monday was officially the beginning of couture week, and Schiaparelli is like, you know, the show that everybody kind of. Kind of starts everything off, and it's always sort of high drama, high theatrics, an amazing casting. Kendall Jenner closed the show, and there was the likes of Angelina Kendall and Alex Khonsani. And, you know, it's just like this sort of ultra feminine, ultra theatrical. I mean, they played father figure, which always makes me happy, which, referencing your dear Harris Dickinson from the movie Baby Girl, and that infamous scene. And I feel like we're gonna hear that song playing through fashion month, don't you? It's so good. It's like. It's so, like. And it sort of works when you're doing, like, this very slow saunter down a Runway, which is the signature Giaparelli strut.

[Choma]

Oh, my God, I love that.

[Renee Zellweger]

And then it was Dior. Maria Grazia showed her sort of latest couture collection, and there was very historical shapes. A lot of these panniers that were under the dresses and boning that you could see into, but they were all cut above the knee. Mostly these sort of mini kind of hoop skirts.

[Choma]

Yeah, I noticed that. I like that.

[Renee Zellweger]

We just saw gigantic ones at Valentino. So it's definitely like, a historical reference that's continuing.

[Choma]

I thought the Schiaparelli show was very glamorous. It felt to me like the fantasy and the richness of what couture is supposed to be. But I also want to know, Choma, what was the feeling on the ground of after the Willie Chavarria show?

[Renee Zellweger]

I think Willie was. Over the weekend. I don't think I was there for Willie, but I sat next to Sarah Moa, and she was blown away by Willi's show. And I think we're all here wondering how designers are going to be responding to the current political moment, particularly American designers. And I think Willy always strikes the right note. It never feels like a sort of. Like a sort of empty gesture. It always feels meaningful. He always manages to sort of meet the moment. And it's great that, you know, he's. He's partnering with Adidas, so it's like a huge. He has A huge brand behind him, too, I think. Willy, to me, just feels like he understands the cultural zeitgeist and it's such a difficult thing to navigate. It really is such a difficult thing to navigate. He knows his people.

[Choma]

Yeah. I also want to talk about Choma. What is the vibe at Chanel right now? They had a big front row. They had Kylie, Jenner, Dua, Lipa, Jenny. Do we. Does it just feel like we're sort of in a holding pattern as they wait for Matthieu? Does it feel nice to see the atelier, be able to have a bit of their own moment?

[Renee Zellweger]

Yeah. I mean, it was interesting. I went to preview the collection at the atelier, and I always love going to the Chanel atelier because there's just such. It's like a family. There's such camaraderie and there's people who've worked there for decades. And one of the couturier, I guess they call Le Petit man, one of them in the studio. It was her last. She was retiring and it was her last dress that she was making. And everybody gave her this, like, wonderful round of applause as her dress was being fitted.

[Choma]

Oh, that's nice.

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah.

[Renee Zellweger]

So it was a really lovely time to sort of see and to see the number of women in the atelier and then the sort of, like, sense of community. And I think that they're probably all really excited about what's coming, but they're also having their own moment. You know, I will say it felt quieter. I think it is.

[Olivia Marks]

It feels.

[Renee Zellweger]

It does feel like there's this anticipation building. And I think that, you know, he's coming into a really lovely environment. You know, it feels like a warm environment. So I think it's going to be really something special.

[Choma]

Good. Well, I'm excited. I'm glad that was the takeaway. And then I loved your post about Mr. Armani being the chicest man in the room at 90, because he totally is in his little velvet evening jacket. I feel like the biggest moment of the week was the Valentino first couture show from Alessandro. There were rapturous accounts of it filtering through.

[Renee Zellweger]

People were, like, booping at the end. It was almost like it's everything that you imagine, like a sort of, like, modern couture presentation to be. It was very dramatic. You walked into this dark, very narrow room, and the title of the collection was Vertiginous, but in French. And so you had the audience on these very steep steps. So there was a very small front row and many, many Rows. In fact, the kind of press row didn't start until row four. So you were kind of like pitched at this angle, which was quite kind of like unsettling.

[Choma]

Interesting.

[Renee Zellweger]

And I think that was obviously the point. And people were war. There was an email that went out before just to warn people who are either claustrophobic that they might feel, oh, wow, there might be a sense. A sense of sensory overload. And there really was like, in a really kind of amazing way that the looks had these kind of exploded proportions, like, you know, these massive hoop skirts and the hand of the clothes was just incredible. Every. All that sort of opulence and extravagance and fantasy that we expect to see with Alessandro Michele at Valentino, just like on steroids. It was a multi generational cast, which I thought was really smart. He always has these very kind of poetic show notes and his partner, I think is a. Is a philosophy scholar or philosophy lecturer. So, you know, you always kind of feel like you're getting a philosophy lesson or when you read the show notes, because he was talking about this idea. Hold on, I have them right here. It kind of opens with a. With a quote from Umberto Eco about the list and that this. This idea of the list being the origin of culture. So if you can see. I mean, sorry, Chloe's the only person on this podcast is ever going to see this, but it is literally like.

[Choma]

Oh, my God, it looks like a.

[Renee Zellweger]

Script 48 page document.

[Choma]

Wow.

[Renee Zellweger]

And the vertigo of a list is what he was talking about.

[Choma]

Oh, my God, the vertigo of a list is such a nice poetic way to talk about how long one's to do. List is.

[Renee Zellweger]

Yes, yes. I mean, I could go on about this collection. I mean, there were these beautiful, like, really embellished. I mean, some of the detailing that I couldn't really see from where I was sitting, but I can imagine you could see these incredible kind of 3D embroidered tights under the looks and feathered hats and everything was just like extreme and magical and fantasy. Like. But yeah, then at the end of the Valentino show, it was as if the models were walking in a wind tunnel. So you saw all these really dramatic silhouettes kind of blowing in the wind and their hair being blown. It was like they were walking towards, like the French Revolution or something. It was crazy. And he played the famous Prokofie off Romeo and Juliet piece at the end of the. Of the show and all the walkings were. All of the models were walking towards the wind and their hair was blowing in the wind. And then they. He had these, like, strobe lights. It just felt like what? Like a being immersed in, like a couture, kind of like a modern couture experience.

[Choma]

You'd feel like, so fabulous. Okay, what else have you been doing in Paris? Choma. What shopping have you done? What dinners have you had?

[Renee Zellweger]

I had dinner with Claire Thompson Johnville. And.

[Choma]

Oh, yes, have we mentioned that she was officially appointed the.

[Renee Zellweger]

I don't think we have.

[Choma]

Editor of French Vogue.

[Olivia Marks]

Yeah.

[Choma]

And there was a party for her and the new editor of GQ France also named Claire at the Ritz.

[Chloe]

Right.

[Choma]

Did you go to that or were you not in town yet?

[Renee Zellweger]

I was not in town yet, but I heard it was really fun and I think everyone's really excited to have her here. So we had. We had dinner with. With my beloved Francesca Ragazzi, who I always try and see when I'm in Paris. We had a really great time. And I went to the Alaia, has a new kind of massive store in Paris on Rue Santana. And it's really something I had to sort of leave, so I didn't go shopping for more shoes or bags. You do.

[Choma]

I do associate those Alia shoes with you. I feel like you're the first one I saw.

[Renee Zellweger]

So as a. So as a kind of antidote, I sent myself on the. You know, on the recommendation of Sally Singer, who is an excellent. Who is an excellent shopper to the Zara concept store. It's called like 117 rubac group. And it's like a home store. And it has kind of a curated selection of clothes. And I don't usually. To be honest, I don't often shop in Zara. I just don't. Yeah, but I bought. I'm. I'm a total sucker. I bought some. I'm wearing some, like, coated white Zara jeans because they looked really fab. And then I got these kind of like vintage inspired silk pajamas from this Zara home collection.

[Choma]

Great. I want to go there. I know.

[Renee Zellweger]

I. I think that I wonder if they have a concept store in. I don't know if they have one anywhere else, but they're really cool. So that was my high low moment. Couture and Zara. From Couture to Zara.

[Choma]

Oh. From Aliyah to Zara, A to Z and everything in between.

[Renee Zellweger]

I just needed to scratch the show.

[Choma]

Miss Couture week. From A to Z. Oh. Big announcement today. We are recording this Wednesday afternoon and this morning, Glenn Martens was named new creative director at Maison Margiela Choma. You are a big Glenn Martens fan. And if we recall, on one of our first podcasts, Choma Martens shamed me not knowing who Glenn Martens is. And I revealed myself as not the fashion file that people sometimes suspect me to be.

[Renee Zellweger]

Well, now you, now you are very well versed.

[Choma]

Now I miss Martin's.

[Renee Zellweger]

Basically, it's Martin's world and we're just living in it.

[Choma]

So tell me, why is he a good choice for this? Why are we excited?

[Renee Zellweger]

He's a really fantastic choice. I think it was kind of a natural kind of fit. Him and Martin Margiela went to the same school, the kind of really famous one in Antwerp, which is the Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts. He's a natural successor. Like, here's the way that he reworks and twists silhouettes and sort of makes you reconsider a very, sometimes very ordinary pieces in a way. Like, he makes them extraordinary in a way that I think Margiela also did. Whether that's like a pair, sort of a twisted pair of jeans, a simple tank top. Like, he sort of has a way of reimagining the sort of most ordinary things in our wardrobe. And I think that's what Glenn is so good at. Like, he did so much at Y Project, and I think he's taken that to the next level in the last few years with his. With the collaboration that he did for Jean Paul Gaultier Couture. I think that was when people started to really pay attention because that was sort of an excellent show. And then the work that he does on the other end of the spectrum with Diesel, which is much more kind of accessible. So I think he's shown that he has kind of incredible range and energy for new ideas.

[Choma]

Totally choma. I had the best outing this weekend. I took Alice Albert to the Meet the Breeds convention at the Javits Center. It is the largest canine convention in the United States. And we sent a photographer on Saturday and Alice and I went on Sunday and we were theoretically scouting for Doge cover girls. And we met so many gorgeous dogs and we. My best in show was I met a Pekingese named Armani, speaking of how chic Mr. Armani is. And Armani's siblings are Prada and Gucci. And I also met an afghan hound named SZA, who was my best in show. And SZA's sisters are Cardi B and Doja Cat, and they were fab.

[Renee Zellweger]

Ah, I can't wait to go deep on this story.

[Choma]

It was. It was really something. And you know what these Breeders and pet owners really take their craft seriously. What else did we like this weekend? Oh, I was hotly following the blooming corpse flower petruccia. There is a.

[Renee Zellweger]

What is this?

[Choma]

Okay, this is a flower.

[Renee Zellweger]

I've been hotly following this.

[Choma]

This is a flower that's like six feet tall. It looks quite phallic, and it blooms. It's native of Sumatra and it blooms like once every 15 years this one week. And the blooming smell is of rotting flesh. But it bec this TikTok sensation, there was one in Sydney and then one at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, and people were lining up for hours to see this flower. And Anika Fola wrote a hilarious piece about her being the Internet's stinkiest it girl and dressing her for her coming out. And it was really delightful. So that's how we are countering the tough, tough days of the beginning of the Trump administration over at Vogue, because we are trying to find joy in stinky flowers. Exactly.

[Renee Zellweger]

So what do we think about Sundance? Can you. I haven't been keeping up. I just saw a picture of Ayo edebiri in the row and oh, my.

[Choma]

God, she looked so fab. Sundance has been much chicr than usual. I feel like in the past few years, it's been like buffalo check and snow boots. And this year the ladies were like, uh, I am wearing pointy toe stilettos. I am wearing dresses. I had a beery. Was completely swathed in split pea soup, colored the row cashmere. Someone on Twitter said she looked like your rich cousin who you only see once a year, but she brings you great Christmas presents.

[Chloe]

She looks.

[Choma]

Yeah, she looked fantastic. Rachel Sennett looked adorable in this little coquettish miniskirt suit. Actually, we have a direct Sundance correspondent Taylor Antrim and Lisa Macabasco are there right now, and there have been two standout movies so far. Lurker, which is a fan stalker movie, sounds quite creepy to me. But, you know, go forth, which is a first film from a young director, and Becoming, which stars Josh O'Connor, which is in an apparently incredible performance as a cowboy dealing with the loss of his ranch from Wildfire, which is sadly appropriate timing wise. The awards are given out on Friday and it'll be interesting. It's always interesting as a sort of early marker for what films people are gonna be interested in for the year.

[Renee Zellweger]

Oh, when are the Grammys?

[Choma]

The Grammys are this weekend.

[Chloe]

They are.

[Renee Zellweger]

It came around so quick.

[Hugh Grant]

Ugh.

[Choma]

I know.

[Renee Zellweger]

Who are. Who are we looking forward to?

[Choma]

Good question. I mean, Gaga is apparently performing which everyone's very excited about.

[Renee Zellweger]

Oh, that's exciting.

[Choma]

Beyonce is nominated for a lot. Charlie XCX is nominated for best album.

[Renee Zellweger]

Oh, Charlie. Sabrina Carpenter.

[Choma]

Sabrina Carpenter moment.

[Renee Zellweger]

I'm afraid that Doji gets best new artists.

[Choma]

We love Doji.

[Renee Zellweger]

I think she will. She's just like blown up. She's just like everywhere.

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah.

[Choma]

And then last weekend we found out who is going to the super bowl. And guess what, it's Taylor Swift.

[Hugh Grant]

What?

[Choma]

Taylor's boyfriend is going again. That's how we know him here.

[Renee Zellweger]

The run through will be back in just a moment.

[Chloe]

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[Renee Zellweger]

And we're back. So our deputy features editor, Olivia Marks joined me to talk to Renee, which was hilarious. We talked about the making of the issue. We talked about obviously Renee's new film, Bridget Jones Bad about the Boy and lots more. Hi, Renee. Hi.

[Hugh Grant]

Hello. Hello.

[Renee Zellweger]

How you doing?

[Hugh Grant]

I cannot complain, all things considered. It's a great day.

[Renee Zellweger]

Good, good. I mean, we're so excited to have you and we're so excited for your new film, Bridget Jones Mad about the Boy, which is out very fittingly on Valentine's Day. Can you tell us a little bit about the film?

[Hugh Grant]

Just catching up with Bridget and this new chapter in her life. She's a single mom. I think Helen said it's the most personal of all of the Bridget moments. You know, she said that this is, you know, a reflection of her own experience of finding her way through grief and beginning again in her life. That's where we catch up with Bridget.

[Olivia Marks]

And to mark the occasion, we had your co star, Hugh Grant interview.

[Hugh Grant]

You can Hugh interview everybody all the time? I think there's a lot of missed opportunities, you know.

[Olivia Marks]

I agree. He took it very seriously as well, didn't he?

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah, no, he's very good at it, you know.

[Olivia Marks]

You know, the interview was so funny and charming and really captured your. Your friendship. He described the experience, the experience of interviewing you and as someone he knows so well as odd. How was it? How was it for you?

[Hugh Grant]

For me, most encounters with Hugh, I mean, the interview is similar. It was amusing. You know, he's always. He' surprise you with his approach to sort of navigating odd which is always fun.

[Renee Zellweger]

I mean, reading that interview, I couldn't help but think back to the characters you both play in the original Bridget Jones and how there's that amazing comedic chemistry between the two of you. And it feels kind of the same off screen, which was such a joy to read. And I think it really resonated with. With so many of our readers. How much of yourselves and that kind of amazing dynamic that you have did you initially bring to the original film?

[Hugh Grant]

I mean, I did it, yeah. I don't know. I didn't know him at all. I've only ever met him as Bridget. And then I would leave, you know. You know, I'd meet him. I'd see him at a wrap party or whatever they'd scheduled as the big goodbye for everybody before we, you know, part ways and, you know, and then I would, like. I usually do, and he would look at me strangely, and then we'd meet again in several years, you know, so when we get together, it's usually, you know, as Bridget and Daniel and not so much as Hugh and Renee, but in between when you're doing these, you know, crazy shoot days and the strange things that you go through, you know, there's a pretty quick intimacy on the sets, the things that you share, you know, because you depend on each other so much. And there's always comedy because there's always controlled chaos, and, you know, nothing's funnier than barely controlled chaos.

[Renee Zellweger]

Well, what was it like to be back on set together for this time?

[Hugh Grant]

Very familiar. Very familiar. I mean, it's been 25 years, you know, and so there's a. Yeah, there's just a real friendship and affection. I care for him a lot, and I. You know, I root for him all the time.

[Olivia Marks]

I mean, that was evident when you arrived for the interview with a bottle of whiskey for his birthday. And, you know, I was there for. For that part, and I was a bit worried that it was actually Hugh Grant's birthday and we'd made him work on it, but in fact, it was two months prior. But he said that you never forget. What other presents have you bought him during your friendship?

[Hugh Grant]

Oh, mostly whiskey. Yeah. You know, actually, no, that's not entirely true. Do you know he bought me a lot of. Of these books? We were in Thailand and I was staying out of the sun because, you know, I'm Texan and I grew up in it. So he bought me these books about sunny holidays, like, places to go to get sun, you know, making fun of how I was running to the shade Every chance I got. And there were like six or seven of them. And I remember thinking, wait, is he now, has he done this? Because he's making a point about how ridiculous I am running for every single little tree branch that I could find. Or is he. Is he. Is he doing this because he knows that I'm going to have to buy two new suitcases to get them home? So I thought, okay, for reciprocity. For one birthday, I went and got him the biggest book I could possibly find. And he was flying to Morocco to go and play golf. And I thought, oh, you know what? I'm going to sneak it on his plane, and then he's going to have to somehow find a way to get it home. And it's enormous. It's a coffee table book that needs its own stand because it is the size of a coffee. Coffee table. It was a Helmut Newton book. Wow.

[Renee Zellweger]

Nice.

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah, it was a beautiful book, but it was. It wasn't so much the content as it was that it was enormous, you know, and it was going to inconvenience him ridiculously. And I was so excited. Well, it turns out that the book apparently is illegal in Morocco because it's considered pornographic.

[Renee Zellweger]

Well, for those who don't know, Helmut Newton was a very famous. Was a photographer. He shot a lot for Vogue. And. And his images are often quite provocative, although I wouldn't consider them pornography, but quite erotic. Erotic. Yes.

[Hugh Grant]

That's a good word. Yeah. Well, so anyhow, he almost got. Went to jail, so that was exciting, I would say.

[Renee Zellweger]

Yeah.

[Hugh Grant]

I would say that was a pretty. That was pretty good in terms of reciprocity, but mostly whiskey. Mostly whiskey.

[Olivia Marks]

Well, it's nice to have a friend.

[Renee Zellweger]

I know you sound like a good.

[Olivia Marks]

Friend who's always buying you bottles of whiskey. Less nice to have a friend who's gonna land you in jail, but.

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah, I was gonna say. I don't know.

[Olivia Marks]

The prank was worth it.

[Renee Zellweger]

I think the reaction to the interview was insane. People were so excited to hear you two talk, and it did feel like you were eavesdropping on the conversation of two friends. It was really something special.

[Hugh Grant]

That's really nice. Thank you. I had a nice time. I really think he's onto something there.

[Renee Zellweger]

No, I think we're going to commission him some more. Let's see what he can come back with. He was. I know. Olivia had to work with him quite closely, so she understands how to work with him as an editor now. So. Sorry. Olivia, you're up again. You're going to be up you're going.

[Choma]

To be news editor.

[Olivia Marks]

I'll relish every opportunity because. Yeah, he's very serious about getting it right as well.

[Renee Zellweger]

Back to the movie. I'm sort of curious how you get into Bridget Jones mode. Is there a switch that just goes on and you know how to be her, or is it like, are there certain things that you need to do in order to prepare?

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah, it's a process, you know, and it's starting over each time and trying to become familiar again with, you know, her walk and how she carries herself and how she speaks. But mostly it's being in the company with everyone again. I always felt that she sort of shows up in the middle of all of us. You know, between Helen and I and in the past, you know, Sharon and B. Van as directors, and now with Michael, she sort of shows up in the middle there when we're laughing together, talking about what she might do and, you know, comedic moments we could come up with. And that's when I feel her. That's when I feel like, oh, yeah, there we go. Okay, we're here now.

[Renee Zellweger]

You know, I mean, you do such a good job of nailing the accent. And I know that you've talked about how it wasn't easy first time around. Is it like riding a bike? I lived in, by the way, I lived in America for 20 years, and I can't do the accent.

[Hugh Grant]

So, I mean, well, I understand. I've lived with a man who grew up in Australia and a mother who is Norwegian, and it's atrocious. I can't. You know, it's this process. And the first time, I guess it was difficult because you're, you know, learning about that. It's not for you so much your ears, it's your face, you know, it's how you form the words in your mouth. It's using different muscles and articulating in a different way entirely. It's not just, oh, it sounds like this. And then you speak the way that you normally do because you'll never make the. You know, it won't sound. It won't sound like it's supposed to. And. And I don't know. I had a. It was weird this time. This time it. I started later than I had want. So I was playing catch up a little bit during rehearsals, and it felt. Yeah, it felt a little bit behind for a minute. So I was being corrected very strictly, quite a lot by Brett. Thank goodness.

[Renee Zellweger]

Do you have any favorite parts of London or places that you go to practice? We call you an Honorary Brit in the office. Because I think you're so beloved here because of Bridget and the sort of, like, energy that you've brought to her.

[Olivia Marks]

I know you love Marks and Spencers. Oh, my God.

[Renee Zellweger]

I didn't know that you love. Oh, Marks and Sparks undies. The best undies in the world.

[Olivia Marks]

And the food.

[Hugh Grant]

And the food. Yeah.

[Renee Zellweger]

Really? You love the food?

[Hugh Grant]

Oh, my gosh. The best sandwiches. Yes. So good. It's true.

[Renee Zellweger]

Most unusual sandwiches here in the world. I would say converse. Yeah, I mean, like, there's just all kinds of things. A friend of mine to segue. Sorry to make this about me, but.

[Hugh Grant]

Like, the subject so much more interesting if you do. Yes, please.

[Renee Zellweger]

But on the topic of sandwiches, I brought a friend from the US and all they wanted to do was go and get sandwiches from M and S. Like, what's the fascination? I find them. I'm not a sandwich person. Please explain this to me.

[Hugh Grant]

Well, there's always something interesting, like an extra little thing. Like pickle. Yes, exactly.

[Renee Zellweger]

Various types.

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah, yeah. Little combinations that we don't think of over here. Like somebody's gonna throw some corn in.

[Renee Zellweger]

There.

[Hugh Grant]

Or some rocke. Which, you know, you have to sort of investigate and learn. Yeah, I love it. Best trousers, too. Oh, good trousers.

[Olivia Marks]

M and S for those. For those Americans or anyone who doesn't know is it's a kind of semi upscale supermarket in the uk. It's an institution known for its food, but also, as Renee says, its trousers. It has a great high street fashion offering.

[Renee Zellweger]

Yes, it does.

[Olivia Marks]

And everyone goes there for their underwear.

[Renee Zellweger]

Underwear.

[Hugh Grant]

And the salt and pepper cashews.

[Olivia Marks]

Oh, you know it.

[Renee Zellweger]

Going shopping with you next time. Like, I didn't know about this.

[Hugh Grant]

Oh, yeah, they're. They're a problem. They're a big problem.

[Renee Zellweger]

But.

[Olivia Marks]

So when I go back to acting. Sorry, when you played Bridget, you. You went to the publishing house to learn how to work in publishing. Have you shadowed anyone else in a different career for a role?

[Hugh Grant]

Oh, sure. Yeah. Social services. I've worked with a young woman who actually grew up in the system in Los Angeles and was now working, overseeing a bunch of children who were just aging out of the system. So I followed her to play a social worker.

[Renee Zellweger]

Wow, that must have been fascinating.

[Hugh Grant]

Oh, yeah, certainly, certainly. You know, been to the BBC, which was. That was thrilling. And ITV in the morning for Bridget as a producer. Been to the New York Times. Fun. That really was fun. Yeah. People are really generous. Have been really generous in that respect.

[Chloe]

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[Renee Zellweger]

Turning to fashion and style for a moment. First off, I have to say, you looked amazing on the COVID And it was so fun to be there on the shoot because I got to see you and Tony, and the magic really happen. Because I remember when we were thinking about the fashion direction for the. For the shoot, and you had a very clear idea of what you wanted to wear. You really wanted to wear tailoring. You wanted to move away from anything, like, too romantic or whimsical and. Which feels very of the moment, actually. I think that suiting is going to be something we're going to be seeing more of. And it was what we saw on the runways, too. And I mean, I know you and Tahni have a wonderful relationship, and I was lucky enough to see you at work. Tell me a bit about what the shoot was like, what working with Tahni is like. Cause the atmosphere and the vibe was so great on set.

[Hugh Grant]

That's all Tani, that's Tawny, you know, because she has some inspiration and she gets an idea and invites you in. You know, it's a fun ride to be on. And I mean, I love working with her. We have a shorthand, and I know that when she's looking, you know, she tilts her head a little bit. She's looking and she's summing up what she sees and how she can make it just a little bit better. And it goes from nothing to everything in seconds because she's just. Just cinch this or move that or added this or. Yeah, she's. She's remarkably talented and. And. And I always love working with her because she always teaches me something and challenges. You know, she challenges everyone to try something new. And her imagination is fast and just brilliant. She's brilliant.

[Renee Zellweger]

I'm trying to think, when was the first time you worked with her? When did you meet?

[Hugh Grant]

No, it was a hundred years ago. I can't remember the first time. I know. I think it. Her Brits. The first time.

[Renee Zellweger]

Wow. No big. No big deal. Her Brits.

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah, I. I know, right? Yeah, she's. She's something. She's really something. And what's interesting is that it's not just about presentation, but it's about empowerment. You know, it's. It's about expression, and I love that. It's. It's like watching a painter work. She knows when it's. She knows when it's right.

[Renee Zellweger]

It's surprisingly calm as well. You know, I think Tahnee has this very unflappable style. I understand that obviously you're used to being in front of a camera, but there must be. It's a different experience sitting for a. For pictures like this. And she just has the ability, it seems, to make people feel very at home and bring out a playful side of themselves, which I think you really got into the mood on the day.

[Hugh Grant]

That's a really. That's a good observation. And you're right. She. She does do that. Yeah. I think she knows that. That there's not just one way for things to be right. Yeah. She adapts as you go. So if something doesn't. If something doesn't feel right, then she finds what does. And. And it's equally wonderful.

[Renee Zellweger]

So you did a wonderful Life in Looks video, which I. Which I encourage everyone to go and watch. It was really fun. It included a story about having to cl. Your house through your bathroom, which sounds quite dangerous.

[Hugh Grant]

What a dummy. What a dummy.

[Renee Zellweger]

After winning an Oscar, you almost broke a leg getting back in.

[Hugh Grant]

No, that. That year. Okay, well, Chicago took the Oscar. Yeah, definitely Chicago. Yeah. Yeah. No, it's just one of those things that you're so busy with. You know, you got the dress and you got the hair, and you got to make sure. You got your lipstick and make sure you got your powder, make sure that the shoes are right and the whole thing. And did you forget the jewelry and the thing? And. Oh, you gotta hurry. You gotta go now, because you're expected at this time. And. And you're nervous and you might have to say something in front of people, and you don't want to make a jerk of yourself. And then you just forget that you need a house key.

[Renee Zellweger]

To put the house key. There's not carrying a bag.

[Olivia Marks]

I mean, housekeeping feels like a very pedestrian thing to have to think about when you're going to the Oscars. So it's like, who needs a house? You know? You know, you shouldn't need a house key.

[Hugh Grant]

You have all the other things. You know, you don't need the. You know, forget the. Forget the ring. You need a key to get in your house when it's done, you know, so. So, yeah, it was a good lesson to learn. I've not forgotten my key and my tiny little bag. It's the first thing that goes in now. What a dummy.

[Choma]

Yeah.

[Hugh Grant]

And thank goodness for that. That open window and my friend Dan, who was. Who could hoist me up over the balcony. That was very sweet. And I can't imagine it might have concerned the neighbors. Anyhow.

[Renee Zellweger]

So your stylist is Petra Flannery?

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah.

[Renee Zellweger]

So how and when did you guys start working together?

[Hugh Grant]

I might get this wrong. It might have been before Judy, for the Judy tour, because we had so much to do. She's just so fun, and she's got this sort of whimsical energy. She loves to find a way to make everything playful so that it's celebratory when you go into the thing that you've promised to do or, you know, because I'm not great at it, it's not something that I'm really good at. I'm not great at the public Persona part of being an actor, actress. I love going to talk about the work that we've done and that I've shared with my friends. I love it. That's a real privilege. But I'm really a private person. I'm really awkward. And so the best acting I ever do is acting like I feel great on a red carpet and not like Bridget Jones. So I'm always feeling most Bridget in those moments. And so it helps when you're wearing something that you love that feels great, and she makes it a lot of fun.

[Renee Zellweger]

Yeah. I think it's so important to. So that you feel at ease, you know, I mean, it must be so, so intense to be under that spotlight. And for the few times that someone like me, who has to get dressed, I am very nervous. And it does. It is nice when you feel like you have someone who understands that and can find the right thing for you that makes you feel like yourself.

[Hugh Grant]

That's well put.

[Renee Zellweger]

So we have one, like, closing question. So thank you so much, Renee, for taking the time with us. But I wanted to ask you because obviously Bridget Jones has stood the time as really one of the greatest rom com characters of all time. I think we can say that very confidently. What are your favorite rom coms? Do you have any favorite.

[Hugh Grant]

Oh, sure. I love them all, really. I mean, whenever there's a new one coming out, I sort of run to it. I'm such a. I'm such a fan of the genre. I like to go back to, like, Philadelphia Story, I think, just brilliant. And anything that Richard Curtis has written or that Hugh Grant has been in tops my list. And I'm not just saying it because. I'm not just saying it because he's a great interviewer. It's true. He's. I was a huge fan of his before we met.

[Renee Zellweger]

Yeah, he's great I mean, I haven't watched Heretic. I think it might scare me. Have you watched it?

[Hugh Grant]

Oh, yeah. It's wonderful. You should see it. Just because it's so different to anything he's done before.

[Renee Zellweger]

Will it scare me, though? Though?

[Olivia Marks]

He would say yes. I haven't seen it. I'm too scared to see it.

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah, well, I would agree. Because when he uses that charm and the dimples and the grin to, you know, not such charming ends, it's pretty frightful.

[Renee Zellweger]

Yeah. We have to go see it, Olivia.

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah, let's go see it.

[Olivia Marks]

And then. And then go and see Bridget Jones directly after.

[Renee Zellweger]

Yes. Yeah, exactly.

[Olivia Marks]

Hey, we can do it that way.

[Renee Zellweger]

Double bill.

[Olivia Marks]

Yeah. To just, you know, to remind ourselves. And then maybe Nottingham Hill, just so.

[Renee Zellweger]

That we'll sleep that night.

[Olivia Marks]

Yeah.

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah. Can I come?

[Renee Zellweger]

Yes.

[Hugh Grant]

Thank you.

[Renee Zellweger]

Oh, well, thank you so much. It was so lovely to speak to you and we're really excited to see the film.

[Hugh Grant]

Yeah. It was nice to talk to you again too. And thanks again. It was so much fun. I had a great time. And with our new favorite interviewer, journalist, and hopefully, you know, future BBC commentator Hugh Grant.

[Olivia Marks]

Agreed.

[Renee Zellweger]

Agreed.

[Olivia Marks]

Thank you, Renee.

[Hugh Grant]

Bye, guys.

[Renee Zellweger]

Bye.

[Choma]

And that is it for the show this week. We will see you guys soon. The Run through is produced by Chelsea Daniel, Alex DePalma and Joanna Solotarov. It's engineered by Jake Loomis, Pran Bondi and James Yost.

[Chloe]

It is mixed by Mike Kutchman.

[Choma]

Stephanie Kariuki is our executive producer and Chris Bannon is Conde Nast's head of Global Audio.

[Chloe]

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[Hugh Grant]

From PRX.