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Sandra Bullock ‘Finally Feels Like Herself Again’ 3 Years After Losing Longtime Partner Bryan Randall
After taking a four-year break from acting, Sandra Bullock is making her long-awaited return to the big screen in Practical Magic 2. But getting her to sign on for the sequel took a lot of convincing, says a source.
“She was very hesitant to step back into the whirlwind of Hollywood,” the source admits. “But she’s now saying it was the best decision ever because it’s given her back her sense of self.”
As Star previously reported, the 60-year-old actress was “absolutely shocked and devastated” by the death of her longtime partner, Bryan Randall, who died at the age of 57 in 2023 following a secret three-year battle with the progressive neurodegenerative disease ALS.
“In some ways, the years before Bryan passed away were even more difficult because she was managing his illness and coping with the day-to-day loss, so this reprieve from the sadness is bigger than most people realize,” says the source. “The heaviness that she was carrying for the past five years has lifted.”
On a recent episode of Smartless, Bullock told podcast hosts Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes that caring for Randall during the pandemic left her “isolated,” especially after the photographer requested that she not share his diagnosis with anyone.
“She has been in caregiver mode for so many years. Having something else to focus on that is just for her has been transformative,” Star‘s source reveals. “She’s excited about life again. Even the [Practical Magic 2] publicity tour, which she would normally dread, has turned into one long party.”
On Wednesday, August 26, Bullock walked the red carpet at the film’s world premiere in London, posing for photos alongside costar Nicole Kidman.
“She’s getting to spend so much time with Nicole and she says that’s been incredibly healing,” adds the source. “She says she finally feels like herself again. It’s wonderful.”
