It’s hard to imagine Legally Blonde without Reese Witherspoon’s iconic performance as Elle Woods, but at first the studio didn’t want to hire her. Two years before Legally BlondeWitherspoon starred in a black comedy, Election. Witherspoon’s character, Tracy Flick, runs for student body president at her school. The film portrays Tracy as an overachieving and irritating person, although ElectionThe surprise ending challenges the audience to see beyond the surface. Witherspoon was nominated for a Golden Globe for her indelible portrayal of Tracy Flick in Electionbut his involvement almost compromised his even more iconic role.
Witherspoon’s complete impersonation of Tracy Flick became an obstacle for her when she wanted to play Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Producer Marc Platt pushed for her to get the lead role, but MGM was hesitant, pigeonholing Witherspoon based on her role as Tracy Flick. 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, just like Elle Woods. However, Tracy Flick almost tarnished her image – in Hollywood and more broadly.
Reese Witherspoon was so believable as Tracy Flick that she had to prove she wasn’t a “shrew” in real life
Witherspoon had to attend character meetings and “dress sexy”
Given how positive and uplifting Witherspoon’s sentiment is Legally Blonde performance is, it’s easy to see why MGM wasn’t convinced she was the right fit after seeing her performance in Election. In many ways, Tracy Flick is the antithesis of Elle Woods – petty, vindictive and generally petty. It’s a testament to Witherspoon’s versatility and acting range that she was able to play the role so convincingly.
Once Witherspoon decided she wanted to be Elle, her manager told her she would have to meet with the head of the MGM studio. Executives needed to be convinced that she was not really “repellent” like Tracy Flick in real life (via Hollywood reporter). Witherspoon had to go through several rounds of auditions to Legally Blonde. They told him to “sexy dress”And attend meetings with personality, with a Southern California accent. Witherspoon jumped through hoops to become Elle. Luckily she persisted, because Elle Woods is one of Witherspoon’s best roles.
Witherspoon wanted Elle Woods to be a role model. She was specifically worried that Elle would be too much like Uninformed‘ Cher Horowitz, a ditzy, fashion-obsessed blonde who lives in Los Angeles. Producer Marc Platt assured Witherspoon that Elle’s journey was more like Goldie Hawn’s in Soldier Benjamin – a character who finds her way in a male-dominated world. Elle Woods showed the world how to break a glass ceiling with chic pink shoes.
Legally Blonde Transformed How The Public Viewed Reese Witherspoon
Elle Woods’ Message of Self-Empowerment Became Witherspoon’s
Tracy Flick and Elle Woods couldn’t be more diametrically different characters, but Witherspoon embodied them both perfectly. Witherspoon’s journey to landing the role of Elle Woods is almost the reverse of Elle’s: Elle had to fight to be taken seriously for more than her looks, but Witherspoon had to flaunt her looks to secure the role. Ironically, Witherspoon essentially channeled her inner Tracy Flick in her spirited campaign to become Elle Woods.
Today, Legally Blonde is the film Witherspoon is most associated with throughout her long career. Legally Blonde Made Witherspoon America’s Sweetheartallowing her to choose projects such as Sweet Home Alabama and Walk the line. Her studio is called Hello Sunshine to evoke brightness and positivity, just like Elle’s powerful quotes in Legally Blonde. Witherspoon’s personal brand of self-empowerment resonates strongly Legally Blonde. Given the film’s lasting cultural impact, Witherspoon was the perfect choice to Legally BlondeIt’s Elle Woods.
Source: Hollywood reporter