It’s been 20 years since the world was introduced to sorority girl turned lawyer “Elle Woods” in Legally Blonde. Dubbed a feminist classic, the 2001 comedy stars Reese Witherspoon who made Elle’s character come to life, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis, Victor Garber, and Jennifer Coolidge. The film follows Elle who decides to go to law school in an attempt to win her boyfriend “Warner Hungtington” back. After studying for the LSAT with a 4.0 GPA, Elle gets accepted into Harvard but it’s clear Hungtinton has moved on. However, she quickly realizes her potential in the subject and surpasses everyone’s expectations, winning her first case as a law student.
The movie sealed Witherspoon fate as an A-List actress and had an everlasting impact on her and the rest of the cast’s life. On Tuesday Witherspoon and Blair shared some stills from the movie and rare behind-the-scenes photos on social media to celebrate the anniversary. See what the actresses had to say and learn some fun facts about the film:
Legally Blonde\'s 20th anniversary
Witherspoon shared some amazing photos and called it the “role of a lifetime” in her caption, “Omigod you guys ….#LegallyBlonde premiered 20 years ago TODAY! Time flies when you‘re busy using legal jargon in your everyday life. 😆 But truly... playing Elle Woods was the role of a lifetime and I’m so honored to have been a part of sharing her story with you all. Every meme, graduation cap, musical number, Halloween costume, and bend & snap has brought me so much JOY over these past two decades! 💕 I wonder... what will Elle do next?”
Legally Blonde\'s 20th anniversary
Blair plays Elle’ ex-boyfriend’s fiance, “Vivian Kensington.” Blair shared a series of photos taken with a camera on set, “This was a time before cameras on phones. I walked around with a tiny vintage camera but never remembered to take many. I was too busy hanging out with Matt Davis talking in my trailer, or watching Reese work. I made lifetime friends. Fell on my face impersonating Billy Elliot. Right after the group shot. Where I am standing on my toes. Trying to be taller. While Reese was inside… on set working. Making Elle Woods. 💘 I love you all.”
Legally Blonde\'s 20th anniversary
Despite dating the same man, Elle and Kensington become friends at the end of the film. Their bond was a lesson for women to stop hating each other for no reason, especially a guy.
Legally Blonde\'s 20th anniversary
Elle had a tiny Chihuahua named Bruiser that she had perfectly planned matching outfits with. He was even there for her in the real world and was by Witherspoon when she unveiled her star on Hollywood Boulevard. The dog’s real name was “Moonie” and he passed away in 2016 after living a long 18 years.
Legally Blonde\'s 20th anniversary
Witherspoon found inspiration for her Elle by researching and studying sorority girls on their campuses or popular hang-out spots. She called it an “anthropological study” and would go to dinner with them and realized there was more to them they the ditsy stereotypes. “I could have gone into this and been really ditsy and played what I would have thought this character was, and I would have missed a whole other side of her,“ Witherspoon said in the past. ”But by going down to Beverly Hills, hanging out in Neiman Marcus, eating in their cafe, and seeing how these women walk and speak, I got into the reality of the character. I saw how polite these women are, and I saw how much they value their female friendships and how important it is to support each other.”
Legally Blonde\'s 20th anniversary
Elle has been since dubbed a “feminist hero ahead of her time.” Armed with pink armor and a copy of Cosmopolitan, her feminity, strength, and intelligence weaved itself into a beautiful indestructible braid.
Legally Blonde\'s 20th anniversary
The New York Times revealed this week through interviews with the film stars and its screenwriters that the film was supposed to be much raunchier, even comparing to “American Pie.” Jessica Cauffiel who played “Margot,” told the outlet, “It transformed from nonstop zingers that were very adult in nature to this universal story of overcoming adversity by being oneself.”
Legally Blonde\'s 20th anniversary
The NYT’s piece also revealed that although Witherspoon was always the top pick for Elle Christian Applegate has said she turned down the role and Britney Spears was brought up as a possibility.
Legally Blonde\'s 20th anniversary
Legally Blonde 1 grossed $141 million worldwide. They released Legally Blonde 2 in 2003 which raked in $124 million. The Legally Blonde phenomenon made its way to Broadway where it is a hit musical.
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