Fans speculate on which actress Reese Witherspoon says ‘doesn’t like’ her

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Reese Witherspoon knows how to own it when she makes a mistake. The Legally Blonde actress, 48, says that one mistake she made at an awards show “literally haunts” her — and apparently cost her a friendship.

During an interview, released on Thursday, January 30, to promote their new film You’re Cordially Invited, Witherspoon asked her co-star Will Ferrell, “Have you ever had this moment where you gave a speech and then like three years later, you’re like, ‘Why did I do that?'”

Immediately, she was reminded of an experience of her own. “I have one. It literally haunts me,” she said, before launching into a story about when a friend, “who I didn’t really know that well but she was a very serious, proper actress,” asked her to present an award.

“But I had never been to this award ceremony, so I thought it was like a roast. So I got up and I roasted her,” said the Walk the Line actress. Unfortunately, the tribute was not well-received. “The tone was British and elegant and classy,” she recalled. “And I was like, ‘Remember the time we got laser hair removal?!’ I’m still embarrassed about it.”

YouTube commenters on the video interview were quick to begin theorizing about the identity of the actress.

Just Jared has suggested that the speech in question was about Kate Winslet, who Witherspoon presented with a BAFTA/LA Cunard Britannia Awards in November 2007. The speech definitely featured some of the Sweet Home Alabama star’s trademark sense of humor.

“I always wanted to be a European movie star, wear giant sunglasses, elaborate neck scarves, smoke hand-rolled cigarettes, and have savoir faire and gravitas,” Witherspoon said, according to the transcript that was posted on a fan site. “Imagine my good fortune when Kate Winslet moved into my neighborhood, rang my door bell and said, (insert British accent here) ‘Dahling, Sam is off shooting, and I believe our children are the same age. Could they possibly have a playdate and oh, by the way, it’s almost 9 o’clock and I’ve had nothing to do drink, do you have any wine?'”

Witherspoon did not identify the Titanic star, 49, during her You’re Cordially Invited interview, but she did go on to say that their friendship did not survive the incident.

“I’m not even kidding — we’re not friends anymore. I think she doesn’t like me anymore,” said the Big Little Lies actor and producer. “I thought it was so funny and it was just, I had the wrong audience. It was pretty bad. Yeah. Not even kidding, she doesn’t talk to me anymore. Oh well.”

Users on X (formerly known as Twitter) pointed out that the two actresses have been seen together over the years, and seem to at least be cordial now. One posted a screenshot in which Witherspoon raved about Winslet’s show, Mare of Easttown.

Another user speculated about the Morning Show star’s intentions in sharing the story, writing, “Interesting for Reese Witherspoon to choose to say this… I think Reese did it as a peace offering. I think Kate Winslet will respond positively and let it go.”