Reese Witherspoon is a beaming aunt, seen overflowing with pride as her 18-year-old niece Abby graduated from high school.
On Monday, May 27, the 48-year-old actress paid tribute to her lookalike niece by taking to Instagram.
“Tears of joy for my incredible niece @abbyjameswitherspoon ! 🥹,” the Legally Blonde star captioned a series of snaps of the big day.
“Congratulations on all the hard work, long hours of studying, the endless hours of test taking and essay writing … and biggest congrats on being the joyful, kind- hearted, energetic, funny girl we are all so proud of ! 💓🎓 Such a proud aunt 😊.”
In the first photo, Witherspoon smiled warmly as she posed with her niece, her arm gently draped around her shoulder. The veteran actress donned a floral wrap dress for the occasion, while Abby looked elegant in a white, crochet-style, floor-length dress.
The next photo featured Abby alone, holding a bouquet of fuchsia flowers and her graduation book. Another image, captured by Witherspoon during the ceremony, showed Abby with her sister Draper.
Additional photos in the carousel featured Abby posing with large “2” and “4” figures in a backyard adorned with green and white checkered decor. To celebrate the occasion, she also received a cake embellished with floral decorations and the message, “Congrats AJ,” written in icing.
Abby has followed her aunt’s acting career, appearing in Witherspoon’s Hot Pursuit (2015) and Secret Headquarters (2022). She will also star in Boys of Summer with Mel Gibson later this year.
Reese Witherspoon’s Praise for Her Niece Follows a Surprise Shout Out from Her Ex
Meanwhile, Reese’s heartfelt shout-out follows her ex Ryan Phillippe sharing a nostalgic photo of the former A-list couple on his Instagram Stories.
“We were hot and drenched in late 90’s angst @reesewitherspoon. (such a cooler time than today),” Ryan wrote alongside the throwback image. In the photo, the stars embrace each other, with Reese showcasing a chic chin-length bob haircut, in striking contrast to Ryan’s edge-lord mohawk.
The former couple first met at Witherspoon’s 21st birthday party in 1997. Two years later, they starred together in Cruel Intentions alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar Their on-screen chemistry blossomed into a real-life romance, culminating in marriage.
They divorced nine years later.
They welcomed two children before splitting for good, daughter Ava, now 24, and son Deacon, 20.
Witherspoon later married Jim Toth, and together they welcomed their son, Tennessee, now 11. Unfortunately, the couple announced their separation in March 2023. Phillippe, on the other hand, never remarried but has a 12-year-old daughter, Kai, with his former girlfriend Alexis Knapp.