Reese Witherspoon wants to mentor the next generation of female stars in Hollywood

Speaking to E! News at her media company Hello Sunshine's annual Shine Away event in Los Angeles, Reese said: "Mentorship is everything.

"I just had lunch with my mentor yesterday, who helped me so much in my 20s. She really guided me and gave me great advice about choices I was gonna make in my career, but also my personal life.

"It's important for women to find ways to connect in real life and learn from each other, really gather those best practices, those critical words of wisdom that can really guide you."

Witherspoon has welcomed five new mentees to the Hello Sunshine Collective and explained that the company was set up to benefit others.

The Walk the Line star said: "Hello Sunshine was never just about me. It always about passing the microphone or shining a light on another woman and her accomplishments. So, the Collective is an extension of that."

Reese has produced hit shows such as The Morning Show and Daisy Jones and the Six through Hello Sunshine and says her younger self would be "blown away" by the company's success.

The Legally Blonde actress said: "I think my younger self would be blown away.

"She'd be astounded at the community that Hello Sunshine has become. I was always looking for connection with other people and celebrating my friends growing up. I think women are so interesting, so my natural curiosity has gotten me to this place."

The Shine Away event takes place across the weekend and brings women from various fields together - with speakers including Chrissy Teigen, Brittany Snow and Olivia Culpo.

Witherspoon said: "We get some of the greatest female entrepreneurs, experts and talent to come and talk about their passions.

"So much of our lives is taken over by scrolling and the internet, and it's an opportunity to get off your phone and into your real life and have a little inspiration."