NEED TO KNOW
- Lexi Minetree is opening up about taking over the role of Elle Woods in the new Legally Blonde prequel series, Elle
- The 24-year-old actress shared that the wardrobe for her upcoming TV series is full of vintage pieces that pay homage to the original 2001 Reese Witherspoon film
- “Every outfit the costume designer has chosen is true vintage, and it just is such a great homage to that time period,” she says
Lexi Minetree is opening up about taking over the role of Elle Woods in the new Legally Blonde prequel series — and taking over the character’s iconic wardrobe!
Speaking with PEOPLE at the Amazon Upfront red carpet in New York City on Monday, May 12, the 24-year-old actress shared that the wardrobe for her upcoming TV series, Elle — which will tell the story of Elle Woods through her high school years — is full of vintage pieces that pay homage to the original Reese Witherspoon film.
“I think right now they have me in a little bit of pink, I’ll tell you that much,” newcomer Minetree shares with PEOPLE. “But they’ve picked out amazing pieces. Every outfit the costume designer has chosen is true vintage, and it just is such a great homage to that time period.”
“I can’t wait for everyone to see it,” she adds.
Tracy Bennett/MGM
According to Minetree, taking on the role of Elle — with lots of encouragement from original actress and the show’s producer Witherspoon — has had a positive influence on her and encouraged her to put “my own little sprinkles of magic” on the character.
“There is not a better character that I could be playing that’s healthy for my psyche to be in,” she shares. “I’m like, ‘Oh, an optimist who believes in herself, hmm-mm, yeah.’ I think I will go method for this role and just believe in myself and just say, ‘You know what? I’m bringing Lexi’s take onto this role and following in the footsteps of what Reese has already created.'”
“Such an amazing character,” she continues.
In May 2024, Prime Video announced they would be making the prequel series alongside Witherspoon’s media company, Hello Sunshine, and the actress eventually named Minetree the next Elle Woods in a video on Instagram on Thursday, Feb. 13, after a long casting process.
In the sweet clip, Witherspoon, who originated the role of the headstrong Harvard Law Student in the 2001 film Legally Blonde, greeted Minetree, who was appropriately clad in a bright pink blouse and pink heels for the moment.
Lexi Minetree/Instagram
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“Your audition tape was amazing, as we talked about,” Witherspoon, 48, told Minetree as footage of her recreating Elle Woods’ Harvard submission video played on the screen. “We had to make a really hard decision the other day and we wanted to tell you in person because you just worked really hard.”
The Oscar winner faked Minetree out with her serious expression before breaking the good news, saying, “We just wanted to tell you that you don’t have to audition anymore because you got the part. You’re Elle Woods!”
“Really? Can I hug you please?” Minetree asked Witherspoon before the two Elles embraced in tears.
Elle will follow Elle Woods through her high school years, long before her time as the nation’s premier lawyer in pink. According to a press release, the prequel delves into “the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love in the first Legally Blonde film.”
On Wednesday, April 2, Witherspoon also gave fans their first glimpse into the highly anticipated show by sharing the first photo of Minetree as Elle Woods in an Instagram post.
“Harvard was hard. High School was harder. Our new series, Elle, is now in production!” she captioned the post, which featured a shot of Minetree smiling while taking a phone call in bed.
