Fan gives star essay inspired by hit movie
THEY say never meet your heroes, but one south Wales student has gone a step further and handed her idol an entire dissertation.
After writing her final university essay on one of her favourite films, Lucy Jayne Ford got to know the main character pretty well.
So when she was given the chance to meet the lead from Legally Blonde, the 26-year-old took the opportunity to hand Reese Witherspoon the 15,000word dissertation – which was all about her iconic role.
Lucy, who’s originally from Porthcawl, now works as an entertainment reporter for Bauer Media, in London, after studying for a Master’s degree in broadcast journalism at Cardiff University.
And getting the chance to hand her work to the Hollywood star was so special because “she’s honestly my idol”.
“It is really cool when you get to meet someone you’re genuinely a fan of,” said Lucy, who’s also worked as a journalist in Istanbul.
During the interview, Ms Witherspoon, 41, reacted to the dissertation by saying: “Aw, that’s so sweet.”
“Thank you, that really touches my heart,” the Big Little Lies actor added. “That’s amazing, means a lot to me.”
Lucy said she thought the star’s reaction was a “nice” one but she didn’t really register it properly until she re-watched the clip.
“I actually edited the video when I got back and that’s when I saw it was actually quite a sweet reaction.
“She seemed quite touched, which is nice.
“I think she enjoyed it. Every time Reese With- that erspoon has come up, I’ve always been like, it’d be amazing to tell her or give her my dissertation.
“I think she’s incredible. I’ve been doing my job for two years and she’s top of my list of people I’ve wanted to interview.”
Lucy wrote her undergraduate dissertation, entitled Dumb Blonde Ambition: Legally Blonde, Postfeminism and the reimagination of Strong Female Character, as part of her cultural studies course at the University of Leeds.
The dissertation came about when she couldn’t think of a topic – and Lucy says she submitted her idea on the deadline of the proposals.
She decided to watch Legally Blonde to take her mind off the stress. “It’s pretty much a nightly thing,” she said with a laugh.
It was then she realised Witherspoon’s Elle Woods was a really strong character and decided to write about how strength is represented by women on screen, through the lens of Legally Blonde.
During the interview Lucy also spoke to Oprah Winfrey and Mindy Kaling – another one of her heroes, who’s recently revealed she owns a share in Swansea City Football Club.
The three stars are promoting their new Disney film, A Wrinkle in Time.