Two years beforeLegally Blonde, Witherspoon starred in a black comedy,Election.
Witherspoons character, Tracy Flick, runs for Student Body President of her high school.
Witherspoons full embodiment of Tracy Flick became a hurdle for her when she wanted to playElle Woods inLegally Blonde.
Witherspoon had to campaign aggressively to land Elle Woods, but the role changed her life and her reputation.
Today, Witherspoon is associated with positivity and effervescence, like Elle Woods.
However, Tracy Flick almost tarnished her image in Hollywood and more widely.
In many ways,Tracy Flick is the antithesis of Elle Woods petty, vindictive, and generally mean-spirited.
Witherspoon had to undergo multiple rounds of auditions forLegally Blonde.
She was told to dress sexy and take meetings in character, complete with the Southern California accent.
Directed by Alexander Payne, 1999’s Election is a Dark Comedy involving a high school election, focusing on the president of the student body. The film stars Matthew Broderick as a High School Social Studies teacher that ends up heading a scheme to disparage a popular girl (played by Reese Witherspoon) from winning the election.
Witherspoon jumped through every hoop to become Elle.
Luckily she persisted, becauseElle Woods is one of Witherspoon’s best roles.
Witherspoon wanted Elle Woods to be a role model.
Directed by Alexander Payne, 1999’s Election is a Dark Comedy involving a high school election, focusing on the president of the student body. The film stars Matthew Broderick as a High School Social Studies teacher that ends up heading a scheme to disparage a popular girl (played by Reese Witherspoon) from winning the election.
Elle Woods showed the world how to smash a glass ceiling in chic pink pumps.
Ironically, Witherspoon essentially channeled her inner Tracy Flick in her spirited campaign to become Elle Woods.
Her studio is named Hello Sunshine to evoke brightness and positivity, just like Elle’sempowering quotes inLegally Blonde.
Witherspoons personal brand of self-empowerment strongly echoesLegally Blonde.
Given the films lasting cultural impact, Witherspoon was the perfect choice forLegally Blondes Elle Woods.
