Julia Stiles returned to one of the most memorable chapters of her career on Dancing With the Stars on October 20, 2026, but the performance became far more than a dance. A familiar song from 10 Things I Hate About You brought back memories of her late co-star Heath Ledger, whose performance in the 1999 romantic comedy continues to resonate with audiences.
For Stiles, revisiting the film meant confronting emotions she had not expected to feel so strongly after more than two decades. What unfolded during Dedication Night brought together the movie’s legacy, personal memories and a reunion that gave the tribute an especially meaningful conclusion.
Julia Stiles’ Dancing With the Stars Tribute to Heath Ledger
Stiles and her professional dance partner, Ezra Sosa, performed a contemporary routine to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” during the October 20 episode of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS).
The song was central to one of the most recognisable scenes in 10 Things I Hate About You. In the film, Ledger played Patrick Verona, who serenades Kat Stratford, Stiles’ character, from the school bleachers while she attends soccer practice.
Rather than reproduce the entire sequence, Stiles and Sosa incorporated references to Ledger’s original performance into their choreography. The routine connected the dance to the film while giving Stiles an opportunity to honour her former co-star in her own way.
Stiles wore a blue dress reminiscent of Kat’s outfit, while her hairstyle also reflected the look associated with the film. These visual details helped establish the connection between the contemporary performance and the romantic comedy that brought Stiles and Ledger together on screen.
The emotional significance became clearer as the routine approached its conclusion. Audio of Stiles reciting Kat’s poem from the film played throughout the ballroom, bringing another familiar element of the movie into the tribute.
Stiles then approached a photograph of herself and Ledger, placed a rose on the stairs and turned to face a group of familiar faces waiting to join her.
Revisit an Earlier DWTS Season 35 Theme Night
The Heath Ledger tribute was part of the continuing DWTS Season 35 competition, following several themed episodes. Fans tracking the season can revisit our DWTS Super Bowl Night songs and pairings breakdown for an earlier look at the season.
‘10 Things I Hate About You’ Cast Reunites for Heath Ledger Tribute
The closing moments brought a surprise for fans of the 1999 film. Five of Stiles’ former co-stars joined her on the dance floor, turning the performance into a reunion of the original cast.
The actors were Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan and Susan May Pratt. Together, they stood alongside Stiles, linked arms and looked towards Ledger’s photograph.
Sosa stepped away from the floor as the actors gathered around Stiles, allowing the reunion to become the final focus of the tribute.
The appearance of the five cast members was not an incidental addition. Stiles had specifically asked for the original cast to participate because she wanted Ledger’s legacy and the film’s shared history to be represented by the people who had worked on it together.
Speaking to Variety after the performance, Stiles explained how strongly she had pushed for the reunion.
“I said, if we had to have someone with us on stage representing Heath’s legacy or the film, I said it had to be the whole cast. I begged them, each and every one of them, and they all rallied. They really did,” Stiles said.
Her comments revealed the thought behind the closing sequence. Rather than making the tribute solely about her own experience, she wanted the moment to acknowledge the wider group of actors who helped bring 10 Things I Hate About You to life.
The reunion also connected a live television performance with a film that remains closely associated with both Stiles and Ledger.
Julia Stiles Opens Up About Revisiting the Film at 45
The tribute carried an emotional weight that became apparent even before the live performance.
During rehearsals, Stiles watched clips from 10 Things I Hate About You and heard the voices of the people involved in its production again. She had expected the distance created by time to make the experience easier, but revisiting the footage brought back memories more powerfully than anticipated.
In an interview with Variety, Stiles described the experience:
“I know that Dedication Night is emotional, but I thought I was distanced from it enough. Like, oh, it was so many years ago. Something about seeing clips from that movie and images and hearing my voice and hearing his voice is bringing back so many memories. It’s a lot,” she said.
Stiles also revealed that she began crying while rehearsing the routine. The emotional response reflected how closely the film remained connected to her memories of Ledger and their time working together.
She spoke about the lasting impact of his performance and the connection audiences continue to feel with his work.
“One of the things that we really hope to do as performers is to make people feel something and have people care about the work that you do, and his memory lives on because it was such an incredible performance,” she said.
Stiles also reflected on her own journey since making the movie. Speaking to Variety, she described the unexpected experience of returning to a character associated with her younger years.
“At 17 years old, I never would have thought that I’d be here at 45, celebrating my body, dancing on the show that I absolutely love and that fans are still interested in this movie and still moved and touched by this movie,” she told Variety.
Her words captured the contrast between the young actor who appeared in the film in 1999 and the performer revisiting its legacy decades later.
Stiles Wishes She Could Tell Heath Ledger What the Film Means to Fans
In a separate interview with People, Stiles spoke about the sadness behind the tribute and the one conversation she wished she could still have with Ledger.
Although she had many positive memories of working with him, the film’s continued popularity made his absence especially difficult to process.
“I have so many great memories, but I’m also really sad, because I wish I could pick up the phone and be like, ‘Hey dude, people really care about that movie. We did something special.’ And I can’t do that,” she said.
The comment offered a personal explanation for why the performance mattered to her beyond the competition. The film’s continuing connection with audiences was something she wished she could have shared directly with her former co-star.
Stiles also discussed Ledger’s influence on the people around him during an appearance on Good Morning America. She remembered his ability to bring energy and encouragement to the group.
“just brought out the light in everybody and he was the leader of the pack at the time.”
She added:
“He just made everybody else shine. He was always about play.”
Her recollections portrayed Ledger as someone whose influence extended beyond his own performance. For Stiles, remembering him meant recognising not only the work he left behind but also the effect he had on the people who worked alongside him.
Ezra Sosa Explains the Thought Behind the DWTS Performance
Sosa also addressed the care involved in creating the tribute. In a statement shared on Instagram before the episode, he explained that he and Stiles approached the routine with particular attention to its emotional significance.
“I don’t think we’ve ever approached a performance with more care, sensitivity, and intention than this one,” he wrote.
Sosa said it was important to both performers that the tribute be created respectfully, with guidance from people close to Ledger and his memory.
He then clarified what the routine was intended to communicate:
“This isn’t about defining a relationship or telling a story that isn’t ours to tell.
“It’s about honoring a beautiful moment in time, a film that changed so many lives, and someone whose impact continues to be felt by generations.”
Sosa added that they hoped the performance would honour Ledger:
“with the dignity, love, and respect it deserves.”
His statement explained the approach behind the choreography. The aim was to recognise Ledger’s performance and the film’s significance without inventing a personal narrative about their relationship.
The choice of music, the visual references to the movie and the final reunion all supported that intention.
How the DWTS Tribute Connected With Heath Ledger’s Legacy
Released in 1999, 10 Things I Hate About You starred Ledger as Patrick Verona and Stiles as Kat Stratford. The romantic comedy adapted elements of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew into a contemporary high-school setting.
Patrick’s performance of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” became one of the film’s best-known moments. By choosing the same song for Dedication Night, Stiles and Sosa created a direct link between the original scene and the tribute.
Ledger died in January 2008 at the age of 28. His death was ruled an accidental overdose involving prescription medications. He later received a posthumous Academy Award for his performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight.
The DWTS performance revisited an important part of Stiles’ career while recognising Ledger’s contribution to a film that continues to move audiences.
Julia Stiles’ DWTS Tribute: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
| Performance date | October 20, 2026 |
| Television show | Dancing With the Stars, Dedication Night |
| Lead performer | Julia Stiles |
| Professional dance partner | Ezra Sosa |
| Song | “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli |
| Original film | 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) |
| Judges’ scores | Four scores of nine |
| Total score | 36 out of 40 |
| Cast members reunited | Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan and Susan May Pratt |
| Heath Ledger’s age at death | 28 |
| Date of Ledger’s death | January 2008 |
Catch Up on the Previous Elimination
The Dedication Night performance came after the competition had already progressed through another major elimination. Viewers following the season can check our Ciara Miller Mariah Carey Night elimination report for the previous result.
Conclusion
Julia Stiles’ October 20 performance on Dancing With the Stars brought together a memorable film scene, a deeply personal tribute and a reunion of the actors who shared the original production with Heath Ledger. Her contemporary routine with Ezra Sosa earned 36 out of 40 points, but its significance extended beyond the judges’ scores.
Through the familiar Frankie Valli song, the photograph, the rose and the appearance of five former co-stars, Stiles honoured Ledger’s work and the memories they shared. Her reflections also highlighted the lasting connection audiences have with 10 Things I Hate About You more than two decades after its release.
Source and Research Disclaimer: This article has been prepared based on research of the sources listed below, including reporting and interviews published by Variety, People, ABC News and Deadline. It reflects the information available in those supplied sources at the time of writing and does not imply independent verification beyond the material provided.
Sources:
- Variety — Julia Stiles Reunites With ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ Cast, Cries During Heath Ledger Tribute on ‘Dancing With the Stars’
- Variety — Julia Stiles’ Interview About Emotional Rehearsals
- People — Julia Stiles Pulls Off Surprise ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ Cast Reunion for Heath Ledger Tribute on DWTS
- ABC News — ‘10 Things I Hate About You’ Cast Reunites With Julia Stiles on ‘DWTS’
- Deadline — ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35, Week 6 Recap: Dedication Night
Featured Image Credit: Disney / ABC
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