Reese Witherspoon joins Lexi Minetree to celebrate 'Elle' premiere in New York

The upcoming Prime Video series explores Elle Woods' teenage years before her journey to Harvard Law School

Reese Witherspoon and Lexi Minetree took centre stage in New York City as they celebrated the world premiere of Elle, the upcoming Legally Blonde prequel series that introduces audiences to a younger version of the beloved Elle Woods.

The event marked a significant moment for the franchise, which first became a cultural phenomenon with the release of Legally Blonde in 2001. While Witherspoon famously brought the character to life on the big screen, Minetree now steps into the role for a new generation of viewers in a series that explores Elle's life before university.

Set during the mid 1990s, Elle follows the future lawyer through her high school years, examining the friendships, family relationships and early romantic experiences that helped shape the confident and determined young woman audiences later met in Legally Blonde. The series aims to provide a deeper look at the character's formative years while preserving the charm and optimism that made her a fan favourite.

Witherspoon, who serves as an executive producer on the series through her Hello Sunshine production company, was among the most prominent attendees at the premiere. She has been vocal in her support for Minetree since the young actress was cast in the lead role and recently praised her dedication and talent.

Ahead of the launch, Witherspoon described Minetree as an "incredibly disciplined and talented young woman" and said she was proud to pass "the pink torch" to the actress. The endorsement has generated excitement among long time fans eager to see how the iconic character evolves in the new series.

One of the more talked about moments from the premiere involved Witherspoon's son, Deacon Phillippe, who accompanied his mother to the event. Observers noted that he recreated the outfit worn by his father, Ryan Phillippe, at the original Legally Blonde premiere in 2001, creating a nostalgic connection between the franchise's past and present.

Several members of the cast also attended the red carpet event, including June Diane Raphael, Tom Everett Scott, Chandler Kinney, Gabrielle Policano, Zac Looker and Jacob Moskovitz. Their appearance highlighted the ensemble nature of the series and introduced many of the faces who will help bring Elle's teenage world to life.

The premiere arrives amid growing anticipation for the show's debut. Reports have indicated that the series has already secured a second season renewal, reflecting confidence in the project before its official launch.

Created by Laura Kittrell and produced by Hello Sunshine, Elle is scheduled to premiere on Prime Video on July 1. For Witherspoon, the series represents a return to one of her most recognisable characters, while for Minetree it marks the beginning of a high profile role that could introduce a new generation to the enduring appeal of Elle Woods.