Despite having no acting experience, Alexis Bledel quickly rose to fame after being cast as Rory Gilmore on Gilmore Girls, an American comedy-drama series debuting on October 5, 2000. Known for portraying the studious and determined Rory, Bledel captivated audiences with her natural charm and relatable character.
Beyond her acting talent, Alexis became a style icon, frequently turning heads with her elegant fashion choices on and off the red carpet. Running for seven seasons and concluding on May 15, 2007, the series significantly boosted Bledel’s acting career and solidified her status as a fashion icon.
Alexis Bledel portrays Rory Gilmore in Gilmore Girls, embodying the character’s innocence and determination in this iconic scene from the beloved series (Credit: The CW)
According to The Gilmore Girls Companion, a book by A. S. Berman about the creation of this groundbreaking series, the show’s creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, was drawn to Alexis’ perceived shyness and innocence, which she said was essential for the character, and felt she photographed well.
Alexis Bledel shines with her signature blue eyes and natural beauty at a public appearance during the early 2000s (Credit: Mark Wilkins / Patricia Schlein / WENN / Dimitri Halkidis / Derrick Salters)
Behind the Scenes: Auditioning for Gilmore Girls
Making an appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers in August 2017, Bledel opened up about auditioning for the role of Rory Gilmore.
“I was very sick, I was a student at NYU, and they kept calling me back up to audition,” Bledel told Meyers.
“I think I went, like, six times. Oddly, I wasn’t a very seasoned actor at all. I didn’t know the process. I grew a tad bit impatient. I had a little attitude, and our boss really liked that a lot. She was like, ‘That’s our girl!’ I was like, ‘Are you guys going to bring me back again…?’ and she was like, ‘I like that, that’s perfect.’”
The Early Days: Filming the Gilmore Girls Pilot
The pilot episode of the American comedy-drama series Gilmore Girls aired on the WB in the United States on October 5, 2000. Just one month earlier, on September 16, 2000, Alexis Bledel turned 19.
She was 18 when the pilot was filmed in Unionville, Ontario, near Toronto. The rest of the series was filmed in Burbank, California.
Alexis Bledel stuns in a satin pink dress at a red carpet event, showcasing her timeless elegance and natural beauty
While Gilmore Girls launched Alexis Bledel into stardom, her portrayal of Emily Malek in The Handmaid’s Tale (2017–2021) further cemented her career, showcasing her range and depth as an actress.
Alexis Bledel makes a bold statement at the Peabody Awards, wearing a vibrant floral-printed dress with eye-catching embellishments and a pleated skirt on May 19, 2018, in New York City (Credit: Mark Wilkins / Patricia Schlein / WENN / Dimitri Halkidis / Derrick Salters)
She ventured into film, taking on more challenging roles that showcased her versatility as an actress.
Alexis Bledel’s Film Career: Starring in The Conspirator
In The Conspirator, a 2010 American mystery historical drama film directed by Robert Redford, she portrays Sarah Weston, the girlfriend of James McAvoy’s character Captain Frederick Aiken.
Alexis Bledel pairs her burgundy dress with stunning ruby drop earrings at at the premiere of ‘The Conspirator’ at Ford’s Theatre on April 10, 2011, in Washington, DC
One of New York’s most stylish celebs, Alexis Bledel, made red-carpet appearances in April 2011 for her new movie, The Conspirator. While her outfits are worth a look, we think her footwear choices also merit some attention.
Alexis Bledel stuns in a burgundy sheath dress paired with metallic gold sandals
For the Washington movie premiere, Alexis wore a simple shift dress from Stella McCartney and cute metallic gold ankle wrap sandals from Alejandro Ingelmo.
Alexis Bledel shows off her sexy feet in metallic gold ankle wrap sandals from Alejandro Ingelmo
However, for the New York premiere, she went all out on the dress by wearing a beaded lace frock from Oscar de la Renta while opting for a more classic pair of cutout sandals from Giuseppe Zanotti.
Alexis Bledel dazzles in a sequined sheath dress with metallic accents paired with strappy black heels the New York premiere of “The Conspirator” at The Museum of Modern Art on April 11, 2011, in New York City
What do you think of Alexis’ wardrobe and footwear choices? Do you prefer her in Ingelmos or Zanottis? And which pair would you rather wear yourself? You can check out her metallic gold Ingelmos and the edgy cutout bootie sandals from Zanotti below:
Alejandro Ingelmo ‘Matinee’ Sandals, $575
Giuseppe Zanotti Cutout Sandals, $595