Lexi Minetree: “There is an Elle Woods in each of us”

Meet the young actress who succeeds Reese Witherspoon in the prequel series to Legally Blonde.

25 years after Legally Blonde, Elle Woods makes a sensational return in the Prime Video series, Elle, which retraces her high school years far from Bel-Air. To succeed Reese Witherspoon, a young unknown actress but with almost identical features: Lexi Minetree. Light pink outfit and beret on her head, smiling from ear to ear, she confided in this heavy responsibility of resurrecting a feminist icon of the 2000s.

PREMIERE: It seems that you got the role of Elle Woods in a rather surprising way…

LEXI MINETREE: The casting announcement asked to send two self-tape scenes accompanied by a 30-second presentation with their name, their height and why we would make an ideal Elle Woods. I didn’t want to just film myself explaining that I’m blonde and have a dog, so I came up with the idea of ​​recreating the Harvard application video. Is there more to Elle Woods than turning a simple audition into an extravagant production? (Laughs) So I wrote the script, shot it at home and edited the video. I even bought a glittery pink bikini and filmed myself in the jacuzzi! I knew that with that, at least the casting director would notice me.

When you were younger, what was your relationship with Legally Blonde?

For as long as I can remember, this film has always been a part of my life. I remember watching it when I was younger and feeling so inspired by Elle. It was the first time in my life that I had a female character in front of me who looked like me. I myself am bubbly and goofy by nature. Very quickly, I noticed that these personality traits led people to categorize me as a superficial girl, when in reality, I am simply an optimistic person.

How did you make the character your own without copying Reese Witherspoon’s version?

I wanted to take inspiration from Reese’s performance, working on his voice and his approach. But the goal was not to imitate him, simply to be credible. In the series, Elle Woods is a teenager. Since she behaves differently than as an adult, I was able to offer a version of the character that resembles me. I drew a lot from Once Upon a Time: like Amy Adams’ character, She lands in a new world whose rules she doesn’t understand. I wanted to bring this same carefreeness to the character, this little naive side. I also looked at Lucille Ball’s play and physicality. The more the series progressed, the more comfortable I felt exploring the comedic aspect of the role. But it was also important to me to do justice to this character, so we find fragments of the Elle Woods of the film in my interpretation. Over the course of the episodes, we understand how she will become this woman who will study at Harvard.

What were your rituals to put yourself in Elle’s shoes?

Sometimes I had to get up at 4 a.m. and arrived on set completely in a fog. I had to set up a routine to wake up: a 20-minute vocal and physical warm-up every morning before filming. I also recited lines from the film to quickly channel the character’s energy. When I muttered under my breath the famous “What?” Like it’s hard? », I looked like a crazy person!

Her fashion-forward wardrobe must have helped too, right?

Oh dear, completely! I sincerely think that even if we do all the acting work we want, as long as we haven’t put on the costumes, we’re missing a final, essential step in building the character. Personally, this was especially the case with shoes. I wore high heels every day for five months straight and I think I lost all feeling in my shins! (Laughs) But I also think that putting on the outfit changes the way you stand and behave. Tell yourself that today, when I wear pink, I sometimes feel like I’m back at work. Elle Woods’ wardrobe also gave me a better understanding of what’s important to her. For example, she wears a lot of designer brands, she is very intentional with her clothing choices and how she accessorizes her outfits, which sets her apart from her peers.

What was it like having Reese Witherspoon as a mentor?

Amazing ! She was extremely involved in this whole process. I could text or call her anytime, I knew she would respond within a minute. I remember one day when she helped me better understand the character. We were discussing the final scene of Legally Blonde, when Warner tries to get Elle back. Reese explained to me that Elle Woods always showed kindness. She never puts anyone down, not even those who have wronged her. She is gentle in her refusals, but always firm. Reese reminded me that this balance was the essence of Elle Woods: you can be kind without being walked on.

Why do you think it’s important for a new generation of young girls to have their own version of Elle Woods?

I have so much empathy for young girls today, especially in the age of social media. There is a whole culture of nonchalance, which teaches them to be afraid of doing too much, of making a fool of themselves or of saying the wrong word. I, who am a real chatterbox, tried for a long time to contain myself and remain discreet. But this is not a solution. There is an Elle Woods in each of us, so I hope these young girls can see themselves in this colorful character and understand that this is precisely what makes her endearing. I would like them to realize that we should never lower ourselves to please others, because we always end up finding those who will accept us.

Since the 2000s, hyperfeminine characters like Regina George or Sharpay Evans have often been demonized. However, these women that we were encouraged to hate are precisely the ones that we ended up adoring…

Confident women are automatically judged. When a man has confidence, we find him classy, ​​when it’s a woman, we call her a bitch. Of course, Regina and Sharpay could be cruel, but I think that’s also what makes them iconic: they are confident, have strong opinions and fully assume their role as leaders. Like Elle Woods! When she says “What, like it’s hard?” “, she’s not talking about getting into law school, but rather the self-confidence needed to get there. As women, we should be inspired by this.

How can we make such a character from the 2000s relevant in 2026?

I feel like Elle Woods is a character that we can relate to, no matter our age and even if the story takes place in high school. If there’s one reason this genre is timeless, it’s because it touches everyone. It’s a period of life where we’re looking for ourselves, so whether we’re 16 or 60, we can recognize ourselves. Elle is a series that young girls can watch with their mothers. And without any embarrassment!

What makes you think an Elle Woods prequel is exactly what everyone needs right now?

Twenty-five years later, Legally Blonde is still anchored in popular culture and women are still enrolling in law school today thanks to Elle Woods. This series is ultimately a way to expand the story of a universally adored character. Some will get to know her, but for those who already love Elle Woods, it’s eight more hours to spend in her company! I know it won’t please everyone: when you touch on the legacy of a film that is so precious to fans, there is a risk of disappointing them. But I really encourage them to give it a chance, because they will discover a funny and light series. With everything going on right now, sometimes you just need a little dose of serotonin.