The actress remarks freshly unveiled Bridget Jones statue is “charming”, noting, “It’s cuter than me.”

Bridget Jones statue in Leicester Square
The recently installed statue was presented in the London landmark on the start of the week.

Renée Zellweger has called the freshly installed statue of Bridget Jones as “delightful”, explaining, “In my opinion, it’s much cuter than me.”

Zellweger was speaking as the recently revealed statue commemorating the beloved figure she played for many years was presented in London’s Leicester Square on Monday.

Bridget Jones was introduced in 1996 by writer Helen Fielding, and initially brought for the movies in 2001. The fourth film came out earlier this year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Fielding left open continuing the series, stating you should “avoid closing doors.”

Zellweger explained that people everywhere can connect with Bridget, which accounts for her huge appeal.

“It’s her sensitivity, her humanity,” she said. “We see our own reflections in her, we connect in her struggles.

“It makes it OK for the rest of us to be genuinely who we are. Imperfect.”

Bridget Jones character image

The character of Bridget Jones went straight to many women’s hearts, who found solace in her personal journey.

From her awkward work mishaps, to her notorious granny pants, Bridget connected with a generation who identified in her—and has attracted a new generation of younger fans too.

The latest movie in the franchise, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, was launched in February, and depicts Bridget navigating life as a widowed mom and exploring modern dating.

It garnered mixed reviews, but recorded the best theatrical launch ever for a rom-com in the UK and Ireland, according to data.

The film was billed as the conclusion in the saga—but reflecting at the statue unveiling, two superfans, Faye and Wayne, said they were certain there would be a follow-up.

“There were so many things that were not wrapped up at the conclusion of the latest installment,” said Faye.

“Bridget keeps changing. I want to be with Bridget Jones all the way to the nursing home,” added Wayne.

When prompted about the chance of a next installment in Bridget Jones’ story, Fielding said: “Never say never. Ideas come to you as a author. So if a concept was inspired that I thought was real and compelling and fresh then I would develop it.”

Certain critics think the floundering and human protagonist, who’s obsessed over her appearance and romantic situation, is not the strongest role model.

And Fielding herself has noted earlier that some parts of the series seem less relevant today.

Bridget Jones’s Diary would be impossible to produce today, placed in modern times, because all those men in the office would be sacked,” she said last year. “That was a distinct period.”

But reflecting on the unveiling day, she said she aspired the broader theme of the book would continue to chime for fans.

“Personally, to have the solace of observing a character that you can connect with, because they are genuine and imperfect and emotionally honest, it’s like having the confidante you can be honest with,” she said.

The monument is the inaugural to commemorate a love story on the square’s public art exhibit.

The Scenes in the Square exhibition originally launched in recently with the addition of multiple figures featuring comedy legends, Mary Poppins, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Don Lockwood, Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and Wonder Woman.

In the time since, sculptures of Harry Potter, the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones, the giant canine and the adventurer have been included.

Bailey Watson
Bailey Watson

A tech enthusiast and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in driving online growth and innovation.