You Probably Didn't Realize This NCIS Star Was In Legally Blonde

"NCIS" is one of the biggest broadcast television shows ever. Now in its very impressive nineteenth season, the military-themed crime drama is still going strong. It's even inspired three successful spin-offs: "NCIS: New Orleans," "NCIS: Los Angeles," and the newest addition, "NCIS: Hawai'i."

"NCIS" has been on the air for nearly two decades not just because of its riveting storytelling, but its beloved characters. However, like any long-running television show, there's never a guarantee your favorite actors will be sticking around until the very end. Such is the case with Pauley Perrette, who played Abby Sciuto, a forensic scientist marked by her affinity for the goth aesthetic. Perrette left "NCIS" in 2017 after fifteen seasons as Abby, and it was later revealed that conflict with series star Mark Harmon was the catalyst for the actor's departure. 

In 2020, Perrette announced via Twitter she had retired from acting, surely a disappointment for many "NCIS" fans hoping for her return. Perrette, however, has had a long career in Hollywood — one that even includes a feature in everybody's favorite girl-power movie, "Legally Blonde." But how was Perrette involved in the cherished film?

Before she gained fame as an actor, Pauley Perrette sang for an all-woman rock band called Lo-Ball. In a 2001 interview with David Schwartz, Perrette spoke positively about her bandmates saying, "It was, dare I say, magical that we all came together because the personalities all fit together so well." That magic was enough to capture the attention of the team behind "Legally Blonde," who featured their song "Can't Get Me Down" in the film. 

The song can be heard, briefly, early on in the film when Elle (Reese Witherspoon) is speeding in her car, having just found out her ex-boyfriend is engaged. She pulls over at a nail salon, where she goes on to befriend Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge). The song was featured in full on the film's official soundtrack.

Though Lo-Ball ultimately disbanded, Perrette didn't totally give up music when she snagged the role of Abby Sciuto on NCIS. Her song "Fear" was on NCIS Season 6 finale and even made the show's official soundtrack, according to the NCIS Database fan website.

Since Perrette has allegedly quit acting, perhaps more music is in her future. Regardless, we always love when our fandoms collide — and knowing there's a connection between "Legally Blonde" and "NCIS" makes us enjoy both even more.