Reese Witherspoon’s little look-alike! Legally Blonde star sheds ‘tears of joy’ as she celebrates her niece Abby’s high school graduation

Reese Witherspoon beamed with pride as she congratulated her niece on her high school graduation this weekend.

The 48-year-old Oscar winner – who recently announced a Legally Blonde spin-off series – went off on her Instagram on Monday to share an adorable photo carousal from Abby James Witherspoon’s milestone celebration.

In one photo, the star, wearing a charming floral dress, put her arm around Abby James, who proudly showed off her diploma.

She also posted photos of Abby James with her sister Draper. The beautiful siblings are the daughters of Reese’s older brother, John Witherspoon.

“Tears of joy for my amazing niece @abbyjameswitherspoon!” Reese began in the caption. ‘Congratulations on all the hard work, the long hours of studying, the endless hours of taking tests and writing essays… and congratulations on being the cheerful, kind-hearted, energetic, funny girl we were are all so proud of! What a proud aunt.’

The 48-year-old Oscar winner shared an adorable photo carousal from Abby James Witherspoon’s milestone celebration on her Instagram on Monday

According to her, Abby James will be heading to Loyola Marymount University this fall Instagramdespite her blossoming Hollywood career taking off.

The rising star has already secured roles in Boys of Summer (2024) and Secret Headquarters (2022).

Meanwhile, Reese’s sweet shout-out comes after her ex Ryan Phillippe shared a throwback photo of the former It couple on his Instagram Stories.

“We were hot and drenched in late 90s angst @reesewitherspoon. (such a cooler time than today),” the Cruel Intentions actor captioned the image.

In the photo, the stars have their arms around each other, with Reese sporting a chin-length bob haircut, which contrasts with Ryan’s mohawk style.

The former couple first met at the Morning Show star’s 21st birthday in 1997.

Just two years later, they shared the screen in Cruel Intentions alongside Selma Blair, and their on-screen chemistry led to marriage.

Their marriage lasted nine years, during which they welcomed two children: daughter Ava, now 24, and son Deacon, 20.

“Tears of joy for my amazing niece @abbyjameswitherspoon!” Reese began in the caption

Abby James is heading to Loyola Marymount University in the fall, according to her Instagram, even as her budding Hollywood career takes off

She also posted photos of Abby James with her sister Draper

Abby James and Drap are the daughters of Reese’s older brother, John Witherspoon (pictured)

Phillippe and Witherspoon announced their divorce in October 2006, issuing a joint statement at the time.

“We are saddened to announce that Reese and Ryan have decided to formally separate,” a rep for the couple said.

“They remain committed to their families and we ask that you respect their privacy and the safety of their children at this time.”

Witherspoon later married Jim Toth and together they welcomed their son Tennessee, now 11. However, the couple announced their separation in March 2023.

As for the “Prey” actor, he never remarried, but he shares a daughter, Kai, now 12, with his ex-girlfriend Alexis Knapp.

Recently, fans clamored for the former couple’s daughter Ava to play a young Elle Woods in the upcoming Legally Blonde prequel series for Amazon Prime.

Reese’s sweet shout-out comes after her ex Ryan Phillippe shared a throwback photo of the former It couple on his Instagram Stories.

The actors were married for nine years and welcomed two children: daughter Ava, 24, and son Deacon, pictured in 2006

The prequel, titled Elle, will feature the character’s origin story as the main character works her way through high school before becoming a law student at Harvard.

After the news broke, social media users called for Ava to be cast in the role of young Elle, whose character made the ‘bend and snap’ famous.

Following the announcement, fans of the film took to social media and begged Reese to include her daughter in the cast.

One person said: ‘If her daughter doesn’t play her we will be very angry.’ ‘Is Ava playing Elle?’ asked another user.