Alanna Ubach in ‘Legally Blonde;’ Alanna Ubach in 2026 On April 8, 2026, Alanna Ubach attended the Los Angeles premiere of HBO\u2019s Hacks<\/em> season 5<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n During the event, the 50-year-old actress reflected on her role in Legally Blonde<\/em> as the film nears its 25th anniversary<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Ubach tells PEOPLE she had “no idea it was going to become as successful as it did”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n While celebrating the release of the fifth season of Hacks<\/em><\/a>, Alanna Ubach found herself reflecting on another defining chapter of her career: her role in Legally Blonde<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n The actress \u2014 who played Serena McGuire, Elle Woods\u2019 loyal and bubbly best friend \u2014 looks back fondly on her time working with Reese Witherspoon<\/a> as the film approaches its 25th anniversary.<\/p>\n \u201cI had done Freeway<\/em> with [Witherspoon], and here I am back again doing it, playing her cheerleader best friend. We were like, \u2018What is this? We’re 27-year-olds playing 18-year-olds. What is this? No one’s going to believe we’re that age and this and the other,\u2019\u201d Ubach tells PEOPLE exclusively at the Los Angeles premiere of the hit HBO<\/a> series on April 8.<\/p>\n \u201cBut they believed it, and it was so exciting when it came out. We had no idea it was going to become as successful as it did,” she adds.<\/p>\n Alanna Ubach, Reese Witherspoon, and Jessica Cauffiel in ‘Legally Blonde.’ Released in July 2001, Legally Blonde<\/em> quickly exceeded expectations, becoming both a box office hit and a cultural touchstone.<\/p>\n Starring Witherspoon as Woods, the film followed a seemingly superficial sorority president who defies stereotypes by earning a place at Harvard Law School. While Ubach notes that the characters were younger than they were at the time, Woods and McGuire were likely in their early 20s, as the former was a recent graduate of UCLA.<\/p>\n Over time, the film has become an enduring favorite, resonating with audiences across generations thanks to its humor, heart and empowering message.<\/p>\n For Ubach, one of the film\u2019s lasting legacies lies in the way fans continue to celebrate its most memorable lines. She revealed that one particular quote still follows her everywhere, especially among younger audiences.<\/p>\n \u201c’I got bangs. I got bangs.’ I get that quote from every other gay Gen Z-er this side of China, baby,\u201d the 50-year-old actress says. \u201cI light up every single time, so excited. I want to take them all home with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for\u00a0<\/strong>PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n Alanna Ubach, Reese Witherspoon, and Jessica Cauffiel in ‘Legally Blonde.’ Luckily, fans eager to revisit the film will soon have the chance to experience it on the big screen once again.<\/p>\n Fathom Entertainment, alongside Amazon MGM Studios and Park Circus, is bringing Legally Blonde<\/em> back to theaters<\/a> nationwide for a special two-day engagement on May 24 and May 27.<\/p>\n The anniversary screenings will include a sneak peek at the upcoming prequel series Elle<\/em>, along with exclusive introductions from both Witherspoon and Lexi Minetree, who takes on the role of a younger Elle. Tickets are available now<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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