Julia Stiles Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Co-Star Heath Ledger on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ with Nostalgic 1999 Throwback

Julia Stiles delivered a deeply moving and nostalgic tribute to her late co-star Heath Ledger during a recent episode of ABC’s hit competition series, “Dancing With the Stars.” Stepping onto the ballroom floor for the program’s anticipated Dedication Night, Stiles honored not only Ledger’s enduring legacy but also the iconic romantic comedy that cemented both of their places in cinematic history: 1999’s beloved teen classic, “10 Things I Hate About You.”

For the performance, Stiles teamed up with professional dance partner Ezra Sosa to deliver a stirring contemporary routine. The soundtrack for the dance was the timeless Frankie Valli classic “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” The song holds immense sentimental value for fans of the film and the actors alike, as it is the very track Ledger’s charismatic bad-boy character, Patrick Verona, passionately belted out to Stiles’ sharp-tongued protagonist, Kat Stratford, across the school bleachers while she was trapped at soccer practice.

The weight of the moment was palpable both on and off the dance floor, capturing the attention of viewers, judges, and the entertainment world at large. Following the broadcast of the routine, Stiles spoke with Variety to reflect on the profound experience of bringing that cinematic history back to life in a completely new artistic medium. She revealed that ensuring the spirit of the original film was properly represented required a collective effort from the people who made the project so special over two decades ago.

“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 shared with Variety after stepping off the ballroom stage.

The actress also opened up about the surreal nature of stepping back into her character’s visual aesthetic for the routine. She noted that it felt “really trippy” to look in the mirror and see herself wearing a blue dress strikingly similar to the one Kat Stratford wore in the film, complete with her hair styled in a manner that immediately transported audiences back to the late 1990s.

Reflecting on the passage of time and the unexpected twists of her career, Stiles expressed profound gratitude for the journey that brought her to the ballroom stage. “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 remarked.

Days before the live show aired, Stiles offered a glimpse into the grueling and intensely emotional preparation process required for the routine. Speaking candidly with Variety earlier in the week, she discussed how rehearsals quickly evolved into a deeply reflective journey through her past.

“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 admitted, recalling moments during practice when the memories became overwhelming and she found herself moved to tears.

Despite the emotional toll of revisiting the past, Stiles emphasized the lasting power of Ledger’s unforgettable cinematic work and the deep connection audiences continue to feel toward the film. “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.

Heath Ledger’s tragic passing in January 2008 at the young age of 28 left an indelible void in the global film community. However, his vibrant screen presence, immense talent, and memorable performances—ranging from his breakout romantic comedy roles to his legendary, Oscar-winning turn as the Joker—continue to resonate with generations of fans. Through Stiles’ heartfelt tribute in the ballroom, viewers were reminded not only of the magic of 1990s cinema, but also of the enduring power of art to keep the memory of beloved artists alive.