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Reese Witherspoon may have handed over the pink torch, but the most important lesson she passed down to the actress stepping into Elle Woods’ designer heels had nothing to do with acting.
As anticipation builds for Prime Video’s upcoming “Legally Blonde” prequel series, “Elle,” star Lexi Minetree revealed to Fox News Digital the surprising advice Witherspoon has been giving her behind the scenes on surviving Hollywood.
“Honestly, the biggest thing that I’ve been taking to heart is being able to take care of yourself,” Minetree said. “We work crazy long hours, sometimes 15 hours a day, and making sure we’re drinking enough water, getting enough sleep. That one’s important — I don’t do that a lot, but I’m working on that. Seven hours, baby.”
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Reese Witherspoon has handed over Elle Woods’ designer shoes to Lexi Minetree. The new series “Elle” premieres July 1 on Amazon Prime Video. (XNY / Star Max/GC Images; Jessica Brooks / Prime Video)
The Hollywood veteran has been closely mentoring Minetree, who portrays a teenage Elle Woods in the coming-of-age series.
And this week, Witherspoon was front and center celebrating the next chapter of the franchise she helped turn into a global phenomenon.
At the New York premiere of “Elle” in New York City on Monday, Witherspoon arrived arm in arm with her billionaire financier boyfriend, Oliver Haarmann, making a rare red-carpet appearance together.
Oliver Haarmann and Reese Witherspoon attend the world premiere of the new series “Elle” on June 23, 2026, in New York City. (Kevin Mazur / Getty Images)
More than two decades after Witherspoon first introduced audiences to Elle Woods, the pink-clad law student remains a cultural icon. Minetree told Fox News Digital she’s been absorbing the Oscar winner’s advice on navigating life in the spotlight.
The actress added, “Just taking care of yourself, mentally, spiritually, physically. It’s really important… I try to… do that every day, and that’s something she reminds me of.”
WATCH: REESE WITHERSPOON’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO LEXI MINETREE ON PLAYING ELLE WOODS
However, Minetree admitted taking on the role has triggered equal parts confidence and panic.
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“I flip-flop, there are days where I feel ‘top of the world, everything’s great, I’m killing it,’ and then an hour later I’ll be like, ‘I’ve ruined everything,’” she said.
Minetree told Fox News Digital she understands what the role means to generations of fans.
WATCH: ‘ELLE’ STAR REVEALS HIS CHARACTER’S SURPRISING FIRST IMPRESSION OF YOUNG ELLE WOODS
“I understand the undertaking this is because so many people love this character, and I want to do that justice, and she’s so incredible, and she has inspired an entire generation of women and will inspire a new generation of girls, and that means something.”
The series also reunites audiences with a familiar face from another iconic coming-of-age drama.
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“Elle” star Tom Everett Scott praised working alongside the late James Van Der Beek, saying the former teen heartthrob brought enthusiasm to the set.
The late James Van Der Beek stars in “Elle.” The actor died Feb. 11, 2026. (Amazon MGM Studios)
“Oh, yes. I’m so glad he was part of it, got to work with him, never met him before,” Scott said. “…I was there with him watching him enjoy acting. And then we went to dinner, and we talked about it, and he just was so lovely and charming and fun to be with.”
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Co-star June Diane Raphael said she was equally struck by Van Der Beek’s devotion to his family.
WATCH: JAMES VAN DER BEEK LEFT ‘ELLE’ CO-STAR MOVED WITH STORIES ABOUT HIS KIDS
“He was amazing… I was so moved by how much he talked about his kids and truly, in between takes, with every spare second, he was telling me stories about one of them,” Raphael said. “Two of his daughters came to set on different occasions and traveled with him, and that was really special.”
Van Der Beek died on Feb. 11 after a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer. He was 48.
“Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning,” a statement from Van der Beek’s official Instagram account said. “He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
Chandler Kinney, Zac Looker, Jacob Moskovitz, Gabrielle Policano, Lexi Minetree, June Diane Raphael and Tom Everett Scott attend Prime Video’s celebration of the new series “Elle” and the 25th anniversary of “Legally Blonde” at Hall Des Lumieres in New York City on June 20, 2026. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Prime Video)
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Witherspoon serves as an executive producer on “Elle.” The series stars Minetree as a young Elle Woods and features Raphael, Scott, Gabrielle Policano, Jacob Moskovitz, Chandler Kinney and Zac Looker.
“Elle” premieres July 1 on Amazon Prime Video.
