Hello Sunshine, founded by Reese Witherspoon, hosted its inspiring third annual Shine Away event at Universal Studios Lot. The weekend celebrated female empowerment, creativity, and storytelling through engaging discussions, workshops, and unforgettable performances. Attendees connected with leading voices in media, entertainment, and entrepreneurship.
From Yvonne Orji’s comedy to Maren Morris’s live music, Shine Away embodied the joy of becoming and the power of women in media. Reese Witherspoon encouraged attendees to trust who they are and embrace their authentic voice. The Hello Sunshine community continues to champion women’s stories that uplift, connect, and inspire. #HelloSunshine #ShineAway2025
Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine Shines Bright
Hello Sunshine, a part of Candle Media, illuminated Universal Studios Lot with its third annual Shine Away event. The two-day experience, presented by AT&T, brought together powerful women in media, entertainment, and business.
The event celebrated the joy of becoming—honoring women who boldly claim their place, share their voice, and embrace purpose.
A Weekend of Empowerment and Inspiration
Reese Witherspoon, the visionary founder of Hello Sunshine, welcomed guests with heartfelt gratitude. She reminded everyone that Shine Away was built to create real connection in a digital world.
“When we started Shine Away, we wanted to get offline and meet face to face,” Witherspoon said. “This weekend is about trusting who you are and fueling your soul.”
The event began with a lively comedy set from Yvonne Orji, followed by a panel featuring Mariska Hargitay, Karen Pittman, and AT&T’s Kellyn Smith Kenny. Together, they discussed connecting passion with purpose and empowering female-led storytelling.
Powerful Conversations with Purpose
Throughout the weekend, Shine Away’s programming inspired meaningful dialogue. Dr. Sara Kuburic hosted a fireside chat with Monica Lewinsky about letting go of perfection and embracing personal growth.
Meanwhile, Lilly Singh and Malin Åckerman joined Lizzy Mathis to explore the beauty of authentic female friendships.
Authors Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill shared their journey of reinvention, reminding guests that every ending can lead to a new beginning.
Health, Healing, and Heartfelt Advocacy
Novartis led a dynamic discussion featuring Olivia Culpo and Dr. Atoya Burleson, reframing the conversation around women’s bodies and breast health.
At the same time, Simone Boyce recorded a live episode of The Bright Side podcast with Chrissy Teigen, who spoke about motherhood and advocacy after her son’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
These moments highlighted Hello Sunshine’s mission—to uplift and connect women through meaningful storytelling.
Celebrating Women in Business and Creativity
Entrepreneurs Loren Castle, Clare Vivier, and Diarrha N’Diaye shared how they built thriving brands rooted in authenticity. Mellody Hobson and Julie Uhrman discussed investing in women’s sports as a smart business strategy.
Reese Witherspoon returned to the stage later with bestselling author Harlan Coben to discuss their upcoming thriller, Gone Before Goodbye. Together, they celebrated courage, creativity, and the art of storytelling.
Workshops That Empower
Workshops added even more depth to Shine Away’s mission. Sabrina Zohar encouraged women to choose themselves in relationships, while Tiany Aliche, known as The Budgetnista, shared smart financial strategies for confident living.
Guests also joined writing sessions with beloved authors from Reese’s Book Club, discovering how stories shape identity and self-worth.
A Night to Remember
As the day concluded, Grammy Award-winning artist Maren Morris delivered a powerhouse performance presented by Wells Fargo. Her music brought guests to their feet, closing the evening on a high note of joy and unity.
Connection, Commerce, and Community
Attendees explored immersive activations in the AT&T Connection Plaza, enjoying mentorship sessions, workshops, and new headshots. Guests also engaged with female-founded brands and experiences from Sol de Janeiro, Happy Coffee, Zibby’s Bookshop, and more.
Every detail reflected Hello Sunshine’s mission to empower women, foster connection, and encourage personal growth.
The Future Is Bright
The celebration continues with Day Two of Shine Away featuring Ellie Kemper, Angela Kinsey, and Molly Sims. Hello Sunshine also announced Sunniefest, an exciting new festival designed for Gen Z girls to connect and create together this November in Dallas.
Through Shine Away, Hello Sunshine continues to redefine what it means to be a woman in media—bold, connected, and unapologetically authentic.