Reese Witherspoon has long been associated with her signature blonde hair, made iconic by her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. From her early career in Election to the hit series Big Little Lies, Witherspoon has built a legacy around strong, spirited characters with golden locks.
However, fans may be surprised to learn that her natural hair color as a young woman was a soft brunette. A resurfaced 2019 photo revealed her darker roots, drawing comparisons to fellow blue-eyed actress Alexis Bledel. “You’re gonna get your Legally Blonde card revoked!” one commenter joked.
Over the years, Witherspoon has experimented with hair color and length. She briefly tried shades of red and brown but always returned to her signature blonde look, often styled in soft waves around shoulder length. Her longtime colorist, Lorri Goddard, has been behind her many transformations. “She’s been my colorist for 15 years,” Witherspoon told Allure, “and has taken me from blonde to red to brown, back to blonde.”
Now, Witherspoon’s blonde hair includes something new—natural gray strands. Rather than cover them up, the actress welcomes them. “I just feel like I earned that gray hair and my fine lines. I like ’em,” she shared.
As Legally Blonde famously taught audiences, you should never judge someone by their hair color. Witherspoon’s openness about aging gracefully reinforces that message. Whether it’s the brunette shade of her youth or her current blonde with silver accents, she continues to shine—with or without the platinum.
