Who is Lexi Minetree? Meet the New Elle Woods

All eyes are on the 25-year-old American actress that has taken on the role of the younger Elle Woods from Legally Blonde

Lexi Minetree poses with roses on her personal instagram (leximinetree).

With the Legally Blonde prequel coming to Prime Video this July, many people are turning their attention towards the actress tasked with playing the leading lady, Elle Woods. Some are finding it difficult to imagine the person willing to slot themselves into the iconic Harvard lawyer’s hot pink shoes, but fear as they might, it seems they have absolutely nothing to worry about. Newcomer Lexi Minetree has stepped into the role beautifully after being handpicked by Reese Witherspoon herself. 

In a tear-jerking video uploaded to Minetree’s Instagram account on the 13th of February 2025, Witherspoon sat Minetree down and told her that she would not need to go through the auditioning process any further as she had gotten the part. Minetree hugged the Sweet Home Alabama actress and immediately called her mum to share the good news.

The internet, undoubtedly, went into a frenzy, with Legally Blonde fans flooding her comments and her video garnering an impressive 48,000 likes. Minetree was equally as stoked, as shown by her video’s caption, which read: “Ok ok ok, my brain is going nuts over here I don’t even know where to BEGIN. Probably with the thank you’s…ya that’s a good place to start normally, nice thinking Lexi! 

Thank you to my family, friends, and reps who believe in me and my silly lil dreams. Thank you to @amazonmgmstudios , @hellosunshine and everyone involved with this project for trusting me with this iconic role. Thank you to David and Matt for running such a kind and supportive casting room. Thank you @jasontmoore for directing me so well they decided to cast me, HA! I am so soooo insanely happy to continue working alongside you!”

While Minetree has an impressive theatrical background with a double major in Theatre and Public Relations from the University of Southern California, her role as the teenage Elle Woods is predicted to be her breakout role. Her previous work saw her on stage as Brooke in ‘Noises Off,’ Inez in ‘No Exit,’  and Tood in ‘The Cover of Life,’ and on-screen in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2024) and The Murdaugh Murders (2023).

Born into a family of accountants, the 25-year-old American actress has followed her own beat, pursuing a career in the arts while showcasing her love for directing, producing, and acting. Alongside her acting credits, Minetree has also balanced the role of President for her student theatre company and as founder of the first-ever BA Senior Industry Showcase at USC. Her dedication and passion are palpable, and it’s easy to see why she managed to bag the role after such an extensive auditioning process.

Those wanting to see Lexi Minetree’s performance in Elle can do so on Prime Video on the 1st of July. For further information on the upcoming series, follow ElleonPrime on Instagram.