​​Reese Witherspoon Said She 'Roasted' an Actress and Lost Her Friendship. Internet Sleuths Think They've Figured It Out

Mar. 15, 2025

AfterReese Witherspoontold PEOPLE aboutan embarrassing, friendship-ending speechshe gave that was meant to honor an unnamed actress, Internet sleuths went to work to identify the woman.

The general consensus,according to Just Jaredand social media users: They believe Witherspoon was referring toKate Winslet.

And while a source tells PEOPLE Witherspoon wasn’t referring to Winslet, here are the clues that led many to that conclusion. While promotingher new movieYou’re Cordially Invited, Witherspoon recalled how another actress once asked her for a favor.

“So this friend of mine, who I didn’t really know that well but she was a very serious, proper actress, she asked me to give her 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,” Witherspoon said.

Reese Witherspoon at the 2007 BAFTA/LA Cunard Brittania Awards.Vince Bucci/Getty

Vince Bucci/Getty

TheLegally Blondestarthen admitted that wasn’t the vibe of the event: “The tone was British. Elegant. Classy,” she continued.

She then referenced a portion of her speech: “I was like, ‘Remember the time we got laser hair removal?’ I’m kidding. I’m still embarrassed about it,” Witherspoon continued.

“It wasn’t good. We’re not friends anymore. I’m not even kidding. We’re not friends anymore. She doesn’t like me anymore,” Witherspoon concluded. “I’m not even kidding. She doesn’t talk to me anymore.”

Reese Witherspoon on Oct. 29, 2024.Noam Galai/Getty Images for WSJ. Magazine Innovators Awards

Noam Galai/Getty Images for WSJ. Magazine Innovators Awards

Just Jared found —via a Witherspoon fan site— a partial transcript of a 2007 speech Witherspoon gave at the BAFTA/LA Cunard Britannia Awards.

“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 Just Jared.

Though the fan site did not have the exact transcript of what Witherspoon said regarding laser hair removal, the site did reference that Witherspoon touched on that topic in her speech.

Kate Winslet and Reese Witherspoon at the 88th Annual Academy Awards in 2016.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

Adding another layer of intrigue and confusion to the story: there wasn’t any apparent tension nine years later when Witherspoon and Winslet presented the award for Best Picture at the 2016 Oscars. In fact, the women were photographed chatting and hugging.

PEOPLE has reached out to reps for Winslet and Witherspoon for comment.

source: people.com