Reese Witherspoon and Lexi Minetree discussed their shared fashion and professional advice at the New York City premiere of the series "Elle" on Tuesday [1].

The collaboration marks the first major public appearance for the prequel series, which seeks to expand the "Legally Blonde" universe by exploring the origins of its iconic lead character.

Minetree, who stars in the new series, revealed that Witherspoon granted her access to a vast archive of original wardrobe pieces. Minetree said, "She basically had free rein of whatever she wanted. So, I have all the costumes, and all the premiere looks from all the 'Legally Blonde' movies. I’m very good friends with her stylist and I just said, ‘Have whatever you want!’" [1].

Beyond the wardrobe, the two actresses exchanged guidance on portraying the character. Witherspoon said a concise piece of advice for the new lead is to "never go low" [3]. Minetree also detailed her personal preparation for the role, noting a 15-minute morning ritual she uses to channel Witherspoon's portrayal of the character [4].

Minetree reflected on the pressure of stepping into such a well-known role, saying, "I sounded like a crazy person" [2]. The event served as a primary promotional stop for the series before its official release on Amazon Prime on July 1, 2026 [5].

The red carpet appearance emphasized the continuity between the original films and the new series, both through the shared aesthetic and the mentorship between the two actresses.

“"Have whatever you want!"”

The seamless transition of the 'Legally Blonde' brand from film to a prequel series relies heavily on visual and behavioral continuity. By allowing Minetree access to original costumes and providing direct character guidance, Witherspoon is ensuring the 'Elle' series maintains the specific brand identity that made the original films global successes.