What is the message of Legally Blonde?

Asked by: Prof. Lance Erdman I  |  Last update: February 18, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (19 votes)

The main message of Legally Blonde is that you shouldn't judge people by appearances; being feminine, smart, and determined aren't mutually exclusive, and traditional "girly" traits can be strengths in achieving success and advocating for others, emphasizing self-belief, resilience, and female empowerment. Elle Woods proves that a bubbly blonde sorority girl can excel in the male-dominated legal world, transforming herself through hard work, not by becoming someone else, while also championing female friendships and integrity.

What is the moral of Legally Blonde?

Work hard for what you want

Law students can learn from Elle's character that training contracts and pupillages don't come easily, but with enough determination, you can achieve your goals against all odds. Her journey also highlights the importance of meritocracy and having a strong work ethic in the legal profession.

What is the main theme of Legally Blonde?

The story follows Elle Woods (Witherspoon), a sorority girl who attempts to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Davis) by getting a Juris Doctor degree at Harvard Law School, and in the process, overcomes stereotypes against blondes and triumphs as a successful lawyer.

Is Elle from Legally Blonde autistic?

No, Elle Woods from Legally Blonde is not officially written as autistic, but many fans interpret her character as having autistic traits, such as intense focus on interests (fashion, law), strong memory, literal thinking, and challenges with social norms, making her a relatable figure for some within the autistic community who see themselves in her journey and focus, even if it's not an official diagnosis.
 

What does Elle Woods teach us?

Above all, be true to yourself.

If there's anything that Elle represents, it's the lesson that we should always embrace who we are. Elle is at her best when she stops trying to pretend to be someone she's not, which is true for life in general. We are all at our best when we just decide to be ourselves.

Legally Blonde's Elle Woods: How To Stay Confident (Even When It's Hard) 💖✨Explained

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What is the famous line from Legally Blonde?

Some of the most famous Legally Blonde quotes include Elle's realization, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't," and the iconic "bend and snap" tutorial, "Oh my God, the bend and snap, works every time!". Another popular line is her confident retort, "What, like it's hard?" when doubted. 

Why is Legally Blonde so inspiring?

Legally Blonde isn't a perfect movie. But it is a film that manages to skewer the patriarchy, dismantle negative stereotypes, empower female friendships and never reduce its female heroine to the role of romantic lead. It does all that, and Legally Blonde is also funny, smart and stylish, too.

Who turned down the role of Elle in Legally Blonde?

Christina Applegate turned down the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, fearing she would be typecast as a "ditzy blonde" after playing Kelly Bundy on Married... with Children, though she later called it a "stupid move". Other actresses considered or auditioned for the role included Gwyneth Paltrow, Alicia Silverstone, Sienna Guillory, Katherine Heigl, and even Britney Spears was briefly floated.
 

What is 90% of autism caused by?

Around 90% of the risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is attributed to genetic factors, meaning inherited variations in DNA significantly influence its development, though the cause is complex, involving multiple genes interacting with various environmental factors like parental age, prenatal exposures (pollution, toxins), and birth complications, rather than one single cause.
 

Who is the most famous autistic actor?

While "most famous" is subjective, Sir Anthony Hopkins is arguably the most globally renowned actor who has publicly shared he has Asperger's (now part of Autism Spectrum Disorder), known for iconic roles and winning major awards, with his autism contributing to his intense focus. Other highly recognizable figures include Dan Aykroyd (Ghostbusters, SNL), known for comedy and restricted interests, and actress Daryl Hannah (Splash), who uses acting to cope with social demands. 

What was Brooke's secret in Legally Blonde?

Brooke refuses to provide Callahan an alibi, but when Elle visits her in jail, Brooke admits that she had liposuction on the day of the murder.

Is Legally Blonde a feminist?

The film was produced in the ideological context of postfeminism, which gave way to a redefinition of femininity; girls and women could now be—and should be—both sexy and strong, pretty and successful.

Why does Vivian dump Warner?

Inspired by Elle's integrity and authenticity, Vivian breaks off her relationship with Warner, realizing that he does not value her for who she truly is. In the end, Vivian changes for the better. She becomes an ally and friend to Elle, teaming up with her to expose the manipulative actions of Professor Callahan.

What is Elle Woods' best advice?

10 Life Lessons From Legally Blonde's Elle Woods

  • Make the best impression by hiring the best.
  • Keep your interests diverse. ...
  • East Coast vs. ...
  • Whoever said orange was the new pink, was seriously disturbed. ...
  • Bend and snap. ...
  • Make a good impression with just a hint of scent. ...
  • If you exercise you won't feel compelled to murder.

What is considered to be the best film of all time?

There's no single "best" movie, as it's subjective, but top contenders frequently cited by critics and audiences include Citizen Kane (AFI #1, praised for innovation), The Godfather (beloved for storytelling, high ratings), The Shawshank Redemption (IMDb's top user-rated), and, in a major shift, Jeanne Dielman (Sight & Sound critics' pick). Other classics often appearing include 2001: A Space Odyssey, Pulp Fiction, Vertigo, and Schindler's List.
 

Is Legally Blonde inspired by Barbie?

This movie is also often referred to by fans and audiences as an unofficial live-action adaptation of Barbie as well. As agreed in her contract, Reese Witherspoon kept all of her costumes after filming. A perfect score on the LSAT exam is 180, therefore Elle's score of 179 puts her in the top 0.1 percent.

What was autism called 50 years ago?

Clinicians who encountered autism in the 1950s and 1960s called it by many names. Among them were Kanner's syndrome (named after Leo Kanner), early infantile autism, hyperkinetic disease, and Heller's disease (based on 1908 description by Austrian educator Theodor Heller), also known as dementia infantilis.

Which parent carries the autism trait?

Additionally, inherited genetic variations contribute greatly. Research shows that both mothers and fathers can carry autism-related gene variants. Some of these are common variants that increase the risk of autism, while others are rare mutations causing more severe effects.

What is the biggest red flag for autism?

Red Flags for Autism

  • By 12 months, there is no babbling or “baby talk.”
  • By 16 months, your baby has not spoken a word.
  • By age 2, there have been no meaningful two-word phrases.
  • Your child is displaying jargon speech (made-up language), or is imitating what caregivers say, and repeating it over and over.

Did Selma Blair and Reese Witherspoon get along?

19 at the 2024 Elle Women in Hollywood, where she reflected on working with talented actresses Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Michelle Gellar during their 1999 hit film, “Cruel Intentions.” “I had been so besotted with Reese Witherspoon, you know, since 'Man in the Moon,' and even though I was playing younger than all of ...

Was Elle supposed to end up with Vivian?

“It did end originally with us together, and Vivian had blonde hair,” she explained in response to Barrymore's recollection of a rumor that the two characters ended up sailing off into the sunset together. “I was like, 'Oh, I'm like blonde now too. ' And I was like, 'We're the lawyers club now, and we're friends.

Will Legally Blonde 3 ever come out?

After "Legally Blonde 3" was delayed, Reese Witherspoon has pivoted focus to the "Elle" prequel series. The sequel was initially slated for 2020, then 2022, but there have been no updates since 2023. Witherspoon told "The Tonight Show" that she was inspired by "Wednesday" to do a prequel.

Did Reese Witherspoon wear a wig for Legally Blonde?

Yes, Reese Witherspoon wore a wig for the final graduation scene in Legally Blonde because she had already cut her hair short for another movie, The Importance of Being Earnest, after filming the bulk of Legally Blonde, requiring her and co-star Luke Wilson to wear wigs to match their characters' looks for reshoots.
 

How unrealistic is Legally Blonde?

IN THE COURTROOM (NOT real!)

First of all, a 1L representing a client in a criminal trial is not real. The rule that Elle uses to justify her role is real, but it only applies to students in their final year of law school. As a 1L, the most you're doing for a real lawyer is research and drafting memos.

What was Brooke Taylor's alibi in Legally Blonde?

Brooke refuses to provide Callahan an alibi, but when Elle visits her in prison, Brooke admits that she had liposuction on the day of the murder. Public knowledge of this fact would ruin Brooke's reputation as a fitness instructor, so Elle agrees to keep it secret and refuses to reveal the alibi to Callahan.