Ever since Ryan Phillippe first gained fame in the 1990s with such films Crimson Tide, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Cruel Intentions people have been mispronouncing his last name.
Fast forward more than a quarter century and his daughter, Ava Phillippe, felt the need to put the issue to rest by confirming the proper way to pronounce their surname, all while using a little humor.
Taking to her Instagram page, Ava shared a screenshot of Lena Dunham’s character, Hanna Horvath, from the hit series Girls, which ran on HBO for six seasons, from 2012-2017.
‘By the way, it’s “Phil-a-pee.” I heard it on Extra,’ Lena’s character says in the clip, which is highlighted by it being shown in the closed captioning at the bottom of the screen.
The oldest of Reese Witherspoon’s three children then added a heart hands emoji to the Instagram caption, as well as the hashtag: ‘#GIRLS.’
Ava Phillippe, 25, shared an image of Lena Dunham as Hanna Horvath from the hit series Girls to reveal to proper pronunciation of the surname she shares with her dad and brother
‘By the way, it’s “Phil-a-pee.” I heard it on Extra,’ Lena’s character says in the Girls clip, which is highlighted by it being shown in the closed captioning at the bottom of the screen
As expected, many people took to the comments section to share their shock in learning the actual way to say Ryan and Ava’s last name.
‘I thought it was fil-eep,’ wrote on fan, while another wrote, ‘Is it Phil-uh-pey?! Idk.’
Then there were others who used a little humor with comments like: ‘lol wait…this whole time?’
Many people shared the pronunciation they’ve been going with for years, but now realize they were wrong the entire time.
‘Love Girls! Also, been saying “Phil lip hey” since 1999 sticking with it haha,’ a user shared, while another wrote, ‘I could have sworn I just saw a TikTok of Ava pronouncing it “fil-eep.”
Eventually, after scrolling down at the many comments, someone finally revealed that they had been right all along, posting, ‘The pride I feel in this confirmation that I’ve been right since the 90s.’
One person shared, ‘Just as difficult to pronounce as “Delevingne”.And Lena Dunham is just a woman to love,’ one person shared, in a reference to fashion model and actress Cara Delevingne, which is pronounced: ‘keh·ruh deh·luh·veen.’
There were also a slew of people who shared their love of the show Girls and its creator and star Lena Dunham, posting things like, ‘Truly iconic’; ‘such great’; and One of the best shows EVER.’
Many fans took to comments section of Ava Phillippe’s Instagram page to share how they butchered the surname for years, with posts like: ‘I thought it was fil-eep,’ wrote on fan, while another wrote, ‘Is it Phil-uh-pey?! Idk’
Ava would also add a heart hands emoji to the Instagram caption, as well as the hashtag: ‘#GIRLS’ to her Instagram post; she is pictured with her brother Deacon and dad
Ava and her brother Deacon, 20, both share the Phillippe surname with their dad Ryan
After having graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2022, Reese Witherspoon’s look-alike daughter has been working as a model, artist, and clay sculptor.
She made her modeling debut in 2018 for Rodarte’s Fall lookbook, and has since gone on to work for an array of different brands such as Pat McGrath Labs, Ivy Park, and her mother Reese Witherspoon’s clothing line, Draper James.
Ryan Phillippe met Reese Witherspoon at a party for her 21st birthday in March 1997, where she told him: ‘I think you’re my birthday present.’
The two went on to star together in the teen romantic drama film Cruel Intentions the following year, which dropped in March 1999, and become a mild hit, grossing $76 million against a budget of $10.5 million.
Most people point out how much Ava looks like her mother, Reese Witherspoon
Deacon Phillippe looks a lot like his famous father, including in this recent photo
After graduation from the University of California, Berkeley in 2022, the oldest child of Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe has been working as a model, artist and and clay sculptor; she is pictured striking a pose in March
The film from Roger Kumble, which starred Witherspoon, Phillippe, along with Sarah Michelle Gellar Selma Blair has since gone on to become regarded as a cult classic.
Phillippe and Witherspoon went on to get married in June 1999, with the actress six months pregnant with Ava in her belly.
The would end up announcing their separation in October 2006, which led to their divorce getting finalized the following October.
Reese Witherspoon has since given welcomed her second son, 12-year-old Tennessee Toth, whom she shares with her second ex-husband Jim Toth, while Ryan Phillippe now has a second daughter Kailani Phillippe Knapp, 13, from his brief romance with model and actress Alexis Knapp.