Reese Witherspoon emphasized the power of mentorship in guiding the next generation of women during the lead-up to Hello Sunshine’s third annual Shine Away event held in Los Angeles on October 11 and 12. The actress and entrepreneur shared how crucial it is for women to connect, support each other, and pass down wisdom, highlighting the impact of her own mentor on both her career and personal life.
New Mentees Celebrated at Hello Sunshine Collective Kickoff
During the October 10 welcome event in West Hollywood, Witherspoon introduced five new members to the Hello Sunshine Collective, her company’s talent incubator dedicated to uplifting female voices. This initiative reflects the company’s broader mission to spotlight women’s accomplishments by “passing the microphone,” a philosophy that Witherspoon says has always defined Hello Sunshine.
The new mentees include Morgann Book, host of the Off the Shelf podcast; Brooke Johnson, a record-setting skateboarder; Ashton Lansdell, a player with the Party Animals baseball team; Ali Riley, a soccer player for Angel City FC; and Dai Time, a talk show host. Each brings a unique perspective and talent, contributing to the diversity and strength of the collective.
Mentees Share Their Experiences and Aspirations
Podcast host Morgann Book expressed her excitement about joining the collective, describing it as a platform that empowers female voices, including those in the romance genre. She stated,
“To be a part of something that empowers these female voices—and empowers the romance genre sometimes—is so important to me as a creator and as a reader.”
Skateboarder Brooke Johnson revealed her long-term admiration for Hello Sunshine, noting,
“It just took me skating across the whole country to do that, and I’m OK with that, because that was the goal. It means the world. It means that I’ve made it into the room that I want to be in, which, as a woman, typically, is really hard to do.”
Ashton Lansdell spoke about the challenges of being a woman in baseball:
“I grew up being the only girl on a baseball team my whole life, so I’ve always had that little chip on my shoulder of not letting people tell me what I need to do or what I should do, and just believing in myself and following my heart and following my dreams and turning my dreams into a reality.”
Talk show host Dai Time, who will appear as a panel speaker during Shine Away, described Reese Witherspoon as “the definition of female empowerment.” She added,
“I’m a huge nerd, and I’m always just working on bettering my platform and making it a safe space for Gen Z, empowering my peers, and also just having a little bit of fun. I feel like everyone just needs a little daily dose of Gen Z. So, I hope that I can bring that to Shine Away this weekend.”
Shine Away Event Gathers Women Across Industries for Inspiration and Growth
The Shine Away event, sponsored by AT&T and held at Universal Studios, brings together women from various professions for two days of talks and panels. Witherspoon emphasized its role as a real-world space away from digital distractions, where female entrepreneurs, experts, and creatives unite to share passions and strategies. Speakers include notable figures such as Chrissy Teigen, Brittany Snow, Mariska Hargitay, Olivia Culpo, Maren Morris, and Lilly Singh.
Witherspoon remarked,
“We get some of the greatest female entrepreneurs, experts and talent to come and talk about their passions. So much of our lives is taken over by scrolling and the internet, and it’s an opportunity to get off your phone and into your real life and have a little inspiration.”
Building a Community to Inspire Women Today and Tomorrow
Reese Witherspoon views the Hello Sunshine Collective as an extension of her long-standing commitment to fostering connection and empowerment among women. Reflecting on the community she has helped build, she shared,
“I think my younger self would be blown away. She’d be astounded at the community that Hello Sunshine has become. I was always looking for connection with other people and celebrating my friends growing up. I think women are so interesting, so my natural curiosity has gotten me to this place.”
This effort not only strengthens bonds among current female leaders but also nurtures emerging talents, providing them with mentorship and opportunity that often remain elusive. The event and collective represent a hopeful step toward shaping a future where women can thrive together with guidance, encouragement, and mutual respect.
