Judy: Renee Zellweger on Judy Garland ‘She wasn’t tragic and didn’t quit, she’s HEROIC’

Judy Garland was a true superstar of the ages, but her life was cut tragically short following years of drug abuse and ignored mental health problems.

The synopsis for the film reads: “Thirty years after starring in The Wizard of Oz, beloved actress and singer Judy Garland arrives in London to perform sold-out shows at the Talk of the Town nightclub.

“While there, she reminisces with friends and fans and begins a whirlwind romance with musician Mickey Deans, her soon-to-be fifth husband.”

This time in Garland’s life saw the actress performing in London for five weeks, but it was only months later she died of an overdose.

Zellweger appears on tonight’s edition of The Graham Norton Show, where she shares her views of the actress.

“It’s not depressing and you can’t help but empathise with her,” the star tells Norton.

“She’s not tragic at all because she didn’t quit.

“She’s heroic,” the star adds.

Louis Theroux, who is sitting next to Judy on the sofa, suddenly cuts in.

“I think I’d have made a documentary about her and I would probably have ended up being her 6th husband!”

READ MORE: Judy: Renee Zellweger reveals bizarre move on set to stop her getting ‘LAZY’

While she was completely immersed in the role, Zellweger wasn’t prepared for the production’s wardrobe to go one step further with some very rigid outfits.

“Judy slouched a little and the dresses were made so that I couldn’t have stood any other way,” Zellweger shares.

“I was literally sewn into them,” she laughs. “It was a great reminder during the day if you got lazy because you had no option but to stand like her.

“The sequins were very strict!” 

In another interview with Town and Country a month ago, Zellweger shed even more light on why the role felt so personal to her.

“Everybody felt that she was talking to them, personally,” the star said. “That she somehow related to their pain.”

But when it comes to how she got in character for the role, Zellweger noted: “It was going to have to come from a different place.

“Her talent is for the ages. Her humanity is to be emulated.”

The Graham Norton show airs tonight at 10.35pm on BBC One.

Judy is in cinemas now.