15 Across
NYT Daily • September 4, 2025
Reese Witherspoon’s role in “Legally Blonde”
Answer:
ELLE
Hint:
This character’s first name is also the French word for "she" and the title of the fashion magazine she interns for in the film.
Explanation:
This clue refers to the 2001 comedy Legally Blonde, where Reese Witherspoon plays the lead character—a bubbly, fashion-savvy sorority girl who defies expectations by excelling at Harvard Law. Her character’s name is Elle Woods, and the answer is simply her first name, "ELLE." The clue relies on recognizing the actress and her iconic role, with no wordplay—just a direct pop culture reference.