Bernie Telsey: Intentionally for the show, I stayed away from all that. Because it won`t help me. In the real world of casting, you have a director asking, «What is his reputation?» And I`m going to find out. But I don`t want that unless I`m asked. Nikki Snelson (Brooke Wyndam, original cast on Broadway): It was a bit bittersweet because we all loved Laura Bell so much. We didn`t know if she was going to go straight and that was the tactic they chose to replace her, or if they replaced her because we weren`t doing well. So there were concerns, but we got more information and we were really excited about it. In each episode, the girls meet a performer from Legally Blonde: The Musical. Typically, these opportunities were awarded in the form of prizes.

Perhaps the most recognizable name on this list, Lena Hall (formerly known as Celina Carvajal), was known as a «rocker» when searching for Elle. Since appearing in Broadway productions of Cats, 42nd Street, Tarzan and Dracula before the reality competition, she has since made a name for herself as a rock singer and is currently starring in Kinky Boots on Broadway alongside former Legally Blonde stars Annaleigh Ashford and Paul Canaan! Known in many areas of the industry, it`s safe to say that even though she didn`t get the role of Elle Woods, she did well! Lindsey Ridgway: How many times would you have the opportunity, in a real audition, to have a casting director tell you exactly why they eliminate you? I think it might be nice to have comments, but those kinds of comments are terrifying. Obviously, there was no dramatic music at that time, but in our minds, it probably was. Before the next audition challenge, Rudetsky led a physically demanding workshop in which the girls` endurance was tested. The winner would receive a manicure-pedicure and spend time with Tony-nominated actor Orfeh. Laura Bell Bundy: It`s endurance, cardiovascular strength and vocal health. I said vulnerability is important. Elle Woods was a real person, not just a stupid blonde. Being able to understand that she is just smart about other things than others is not smart. And that`s very positive. Autumn Hurlbert: [Associate Director] Marc Bruni, Bernie Telsey and Jerry Mitchell took me aside and said, «We don`t know how this will work yet, but we`d like to offer you an ensemble role and study Bailey.

I will never forget that they didn`t tell them to double Her. It was a strange way of saying it. I thought, «I don`t want that.» I will always feel bad because it seems so ungrateful. But I was really shocked; I felt like I had been stuffed with Legal Blonde for so long. I thought, «I just need a break. I want to go to an island where there are no blondes, period. For the next audition, the five took advantage of Elle`s vulnerability and performed the title ballad alongside actor Karl (who underestimated Emmett). Prior to the audition, Rudetsky led a vocal coaching session during which he guided Hurlbert through an epiphany. Laura Bell Bundy: I thought it was really funny. I stuck the casting note to my door.

For example, if anyone knows someone who could play Elle Woods, let me stick them to my door in case someone walks by the locker room door and thinks they might be good for that role. Autumn Hurlbert: They dyed my hair so beautifully strawberry blonde, and it looked really good. And then the MTV producers said, «No, no, no, it`s not easy enough. So I drank bleach twice. It was like straw and my scalp was burning. I thought, «Listen, I`m a game for all this, but you just butchered my hair.» Bernie Telsey: As a casting director, you don`t get that in the studio. It`s not like the good old days when I was a casting clerk doing encores on a Broadway stage. So it was very special. It was an opportunity to do what they do with screen testing for feature films. Bailey Hanks: Her name is Noelle Marie, but we call her Her. It makes me moved when I think of one day, when she will be old enough, to have the chance to show her the videos and tell her what I went through. I go through everything and they are funny memories.

There are bad ones too, but they have shaped me. It made me stronger and wiser. It made me braver. Amanda Lipitz (musical producer and executive producer of the series): MTV aired the musical [in October 2007]. At the same time, we struggled to cast the next Elle to get a name for this role. Celebrities would come. They sat there and watched the show, and they said, «Oh my God.» That`s a big part: a lot of dancing, huge belt songs, and you`re in every scene. It is not for the faint of heart. Autumn Hurlbert (nominee): I`d been to the Broadway show a few times, and at one point I was in the last encores for Margot. I got a call from my agents, and they said, «MTV decided to do a reality show about finding the next Elle Woods, and they said it would be like Project Runway.» I had auditioned for American Idol, but I had no idea what was really going to happen.