And here are a few pics of Bailey taking her first night bows this past Wednesday night after successfully completing her premiere performance on Broadway:

Bailey Hanks won the MTV competition “The Search For The New Elle Woods” making her the new successor to Laura Bell Bundy in the role of Elle Woods. She and her Legally Blonde “co-star” Bruiser, hit Times Square to ‘Bend & Snap’ and meet the press! On Monday, June 2, 2008, MTV premiered the reality show “Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods” to find a talented singer/actress/ dancer to take over for Broadway star and Tony Nominee Laura Bell Bundy. Thousands of talented young women came from across the country to make their dream a reality—as MTV and Legally Blonde The Musical teamed up to find Broadway’s new Elle Woods. After what might have been the toughest audition in Broadway history—comprising two months of workshops, training sessions, challenge after challenge and arduous eliminations—one remarkable rising star stood out from the crowd: Bailey Hanks, the 20-yr old Southern charmer with the complete package of extraordinary dancing, singing and acting skills. Not only was she cast in her dream role, she also recorded the hit single “So Much Better”, produced by Ghostlight, now available on iTunes.com and Amazon.com. On Wednesday, July 23, 2008, Bailey made her Broadway debut as “Elle Woods”, the role that made Reese Witherspoon and Laura Bell Bundy stars, at Broadway’s famed Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway. A big fan of the movie, when Bailey learned about MTV’s auditions for “Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods” she didn’t hesitate to drive from her hometown of Anderson, S.C., to Nashville, Tenn., to follow her dream of being on Broadway in her favorite musical. A genuine Southern Belle, this pastor’s daughter has been dancing and performing for 15 years and has starred in The Wizard of Oz, Seussical the Musical, A Year With Frog and Toad, Annie, Bye Bye Birdie, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, High Steppin’ Country and more. A former beauty pageant queen, Bailey won the Miss Liberty Teen pageant in 2006 and one of her most memorable performances to date has been singing the national anthem for President Bill Clinton in 2000 … Autumn, the first runner-up in the competition known for her curly red hair & dazzling singing voice, will understudy the role of Elle Woods on Broadway and will perform in the ensemble. Lauren, the youngest contestant on the reality show, will understudy Becky Gulsvig, who stars as Elle Woods on tour, and will be a member of the ensemble. Rhiannon, known for her enthusiasm and stage presence, will play the role of Margot, Elle’s best friend, on tour.

It’s pretty crazy to think that any person without any supposed previous experience can audition for a reality TV show and then end up with a starring role on Broadway … there really is no biz like show biz. Congrats goes out to Bailey for this very cool accomplishment. I hope she makes the most of her opportunity and reaches new heights of success.

I am still pretty bummed that Laura Bell Bundy, the original Elle Woods on Broadway, had to say goodbye to the show … I really love that girl. Here are a few pics of LBB’s final bow on the night of her final performance as Elle Woods:

Click HERE to watch exclusive video from Broadway World of LBB’s last night as Elle in Legally Blonde. She will be missed.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

Tony-nominated actress Laura Bell Bundy will “bend and snap” one final time as Elle Woods in the Broadway production of Legally Blonde July 20. Bundy has been with Legally Blonde since its 2005 readings and earned a 2007 Best Actress Tony Award nomination for her turn as Legally Blonde’s pink-clad heroine. The musical is based on the 2001 MGM movie that starred Reese Witherspoon. Triple-threat Bundy made her Broadway debut in the 2002 original cast of Hairspray as Amber Von Tussle and is known for her turns in Wicked and Ruthless!, for which she earned Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nominations as Tina Denmark. On screen Bundy has been seen in “Dreamgirls,” “Guiding Light,” “Jumanji,” “Life with Mikey,” “Adventures of Huck Finn,” “Home Improvement,” “Strangers with Candy” and “Curtis Court.” Bundy released her solo country debut recording “Longing for a Place Already Gone” last year. Representatives for the Tony-nominated actress state that Bundy is currently developing a television project and is at work on her next album. Bundy’s replacement will be named on the July 21 episode of the MTV reality competition “Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods.” On July 23 at 8 PM, the next Elle Woods – who will be determined by a panel of Legally Blonde casting directors, production associates and director/choreography Jerry Mitchell – will take over in the lead role at the Palace Theatre on Broadway.

I imagine last night’s performance was a fun, yet difficult one for Laura Bell … it must be hard to exit a role that you originate on Broadway. I’ve been fortunate enough to see LBB as Elle in the show a couple of times and I know that the new girl has got some big shoes to fill. I am very much looking forward to hearing about LB’s next project — but I hope she takes some time off to relax for a minute before plunging headlong into another big commitment. I wish nothing but the best for her and I’m sending her much congrats and all my love today.

[Source, Source]