This Is the Story Behind One of Your Favorite Moments in ‘Legally Blonde’
It’s been more than 15 years since Legally Blonde hit theaters, but we’re still learning fascinating tidbits about the movie — including why two of the stars ended up having to wear wigs. Thanks to Entertainment Weekly, we also now know the story behind one of the film’s most memorable moments: the bend-and-snap.
As you no doubt remember, Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) teaches the bend-and-snap to her nail artist and friend, Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge), so she can attract the attention of a cute UPS delivery man. Several other salon customers and stylists join in, creating something of a mini dance party.
According to EW, however, that scene was almost something very different. “[Producer] Marc [Platt] wanted a B plot for Paulette,” Legally Blonde co-writer Karen McCullah told the magazine. “At first we were like, ‘Should the store be robbed?'”
Co-writer Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith added, “I think we spent a week or two trying to figure out what the B plot and this big set piece should be. There were crime plots. We were pitching scene after scene and it all felt very tonally weird.”
But then they had a breakthrough. While sitting at a bar in LA, McCullah asked, “What if Elle shows [Paulette] a move so she can get the UPS guy?” Smith was so into the idea that she immediately jumped up to act out what such a move would look like. “It was a spontaneous invention,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “It was a completely drunken moment in a bar.”
Who knew that “spontaneous invention” would become such an iconic moment?
What’s your favorite scene in Legally Blonde? Tell us @BritandCo!
(photo via Tracy Bennett/MGM Pictures)
