Renée Zellweger wins Best Actress Oscar for Judy
Renée Zellweger has taken home the Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of Judy Garland in Judy.
The star, 50, paid tribute to her "hero" Garland in her emotional acceptance speech as she said those we look up to unite rather than divide us.
She said: "Miss Garland you are certainly among the heroes who unite and define us and this is certainly for you. I am so grateful."
Renée, who also won an Oscar for Cold Mountain in 2004, called working on Judy "one of the most special collaborations and meaningful experiences of my life" and said it was an "honour" to have been nominated.
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She continued: "When we celebrate our heroes, we're reminded of who we are as one people, united, and although Judy Garland did not receive this honour in our time, I'm certain this moment is an extension of her legacy that began on a film set."
Renée looked incredible in a floor-sweeping white gown with one sleeve.
Her blonde locks were worn in a chic bun and she sported minimal makeup to tie the look together.
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Renée's win followed her BAFTA award for Best Actress for the same role.
The other nominees for Best Actress were Cynthia Erivo for Harriet, Scarlett Johansson for Marriage Story, Saoirse Ronan for Little Women and Charlize Theron for Bombshell.
The Best Actor winner was Joaquin Phoenix for Joker.
The Best Picture winner was Parasite.
Admittedly intimidated at the notion of playing one of America's most iconic show business figures 50 years after her death, Zellweger embarked on extensive preparations to transform herself for the role.
She took voice lessons for a year and worked with a choreographer to capture Garland's mannerisms.
The movie focuses on a period when The Wizard of Oz star struggled with substance abuse, depression, insomnia, financial instability and a custody battle.
Garland arrived in London in late 1968 as part of a sold-out concert tour meant to help regain her economic footing.
She died there at age 47 of an accidental drug overdose in June 1969, three months after her fifth marriage.
Zellweger's co-stars recalled being awestruck by her on-set metamorphosis for the role, while critics marveled at how she convincingly rendered the essence of Garland's persona and performance style without lapsing into mere impersonation.
Her Judy performance was a far cry from the scrappy, plain-spoken farmhand she played in the epic U.S. Civil War romance Cold Mountain, a role that earned her an Academy Award for best supporting actress in 2004.
Her turn in Cold Mountain followed back-to-back Oscar nominations for her performance as Roxie Hart in the big-screen adaptation of musical "Chicago" and her title role in Bridge Jones's Diary.
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