Jennifer Coolidge Admits She ‘Stupidly’ Thought She Was Auditioning to Play Elle Woods in ‘Legally Blonde’

Jennifer Coolidge has admitted she had a very different vision for Legally Blonde.

While celebrating the beloved comedy’s 25th anniversary at a special fan event in New York City on Saturday June 20, the Emmy-winning actress made a hilarious admission about the audition process for the movie.

“I was so lucky to get cast in this movie, and it is one of my favorite jobs of all time,” Coolidge said, per Entertainment Weekly, “But I stupidly thought that when I was auditioning, I thought I was gonna be Elle.”

Of course, that unforgettable role ultimately went to Reese Witherspoon, who turned the fashionable law student into one of Hollywood’s most iconic characters.

But 64-year-old Coolidge didn’t walk away empty handed and made Paulette Bonafonté Parcelle a breakout fan favorite. Her character proved a scene stealer thanks to memorable moments including her quest to reclaim her beloved dog from an ex.

Coolidge, who more recently wowed audiences with her role on HBO comedy drama The White Lotus, kept the laughs coming during the anniversary celebration when she watched classic clips from the 2001 film.

Asked what it was like revisiting the movie, she joked, “I forgot that when we first started filming, I was only 17 years old.”

As per Entertainment Weekly, as the laughter continued in the audience and on the panel, she added: “No, I was, and so I just can’t believe it. All this time has gone by!”

The reunion also brought together several original cast members, including Witherspoon, Selma Blair, Ali Larter, Matthew Davis and Victor Garber.

Fans are still eagerly waiting for Legally Blonde 3, which has remained in development for several years.

One thing seems certain, though: neither Witherspoon nor Coolidge can imagine the franchise continuing without manicurist Paulette.

Witherspoon previously declared when speaking to Entertainment Tonight in February 2023, “There is no Legally Blonde 3 without Jennifer Coolidge.”