Julia Stiles brought one of the most memorable romances of 1990s teen cinema back into the spotlight on 'Dancing With the Stars', honouring her late co-star Heath Ledger with an emotional performance that culminated in a reunion with their '10 Things I Hate About You' castmates.
During the ABC dance competition's Dedication Night on Tuesday, 20 October, Stiles and professional dance partner Ezra Sosa performed a contemporary routine to Frankie Valli's 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You', the song Ledger famously serenaded her with in the 1999 romantic comedy. The performance celebrated the late actor's legacy while revisiting a scene that has remained a fan favourite for more than two decades.
Julia Stiles' Emotional Tribute to Heath Ledger
In her pre-performance video package, Stiles reflected on working with Ledger, who played Patrick Verona opposite her character, Kat Stratford, in the beloved teen film. 'I learned a lot from Heath. He was so authentic,' she said.
Stiles also spoke about how much the film continues to mean to audiences, expressing sadness that she could not share its enduring popularity with Ledger personally, "I have so many great memories, but I'm also sad because I really wish that 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."
Ledger died in January 2008 at the age of 28. Although the pair lost touch after making the film, Stiles' comments reflected the lasting significance of their time together and the affection audiences continue to hold for their on-screen pairing.
Revisiting the movie for the dance proved more emotional than Stiles had anticipated. In earlier comments about preparing for the performance, she explained that watching old footage, seeing photographs and hearing the cast's voices again brought back feelings she thought she had moved beyond. The moment gave her an opportunity to honour Ledger through the very film that introduced their characters to generations of viewers.
A Nostalgic '10 Things I Hate About You' Reunion
The tribute also featured a nostalgic visual callback to the film. Stiles wore a blue dress reminiscent of Kat Stratford's look, while the choreography incorporated elements associated with Ledger's iconic serenade.
As the performance reached its conclusion, Stiles approached a photograph of herself and Ledger and placed a rose beside it. An audio recording of her reciting the poem from the movie played in the background, bringing another familiar moment from the film into the ballroom.
The emotional scene then took an unexpected turn when five of their former co-stars joined Stiles on stage: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan and Susan May Pratt. The reunion brought together six familiar faces from the 1999 film, with Ledger remembered at the centre of the moment.
The cast had also gathered backstage before the episode, sharing their excitement about supporting Stiles. Union narrated a video featuring the group on the DWTS lot, while Gordon-Levitt joined in the lighthearted moment.
Julia Stiles Earns 36 Points for Her Performance
The emotional significance of the routine was matched by its reception from the judging panel. Stiles and Sosa received a score of 36 out of 40, with all four judges awarding the pair nine points each.
Her Heath Ledger tribute followed another nostalgic routine the previous week, when she recreated a dance from her 2001 film Save the Last Dance. The two performances have connected her time on the show with some of the roles that helped define her career.
Stiles' appearance on 'Dancing With the Stars' has also given her an opportunity to step outside her familiar work as an actor. According to Variety, she previously explained that joining the competition required her to confront nerves and rediscover her enjoyment of performing in front of an audience.
For Dedication Night, however, the focus extended beyond the competition itself. The routine was an opportunity to celebrate a former co-star whose performance had helped make '10 Things I Hate About You' a lasting favourite.
Heath Ledger's Legacy Lives On Through the Film
Released in 1999, '10 Things I Hate About You' reimagined William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew as a modern high school romance. Stiles played Kat, an independent-minded teenager, while Ledger portrayed Patrick, the charming outsider who falls for her.
The film also featured Gordon-Levitt as Cameron James, Union as Bianca's friend Chastity, Oleynik as Bianca Stratford, Keegan as Joey Donner and Pratt as Mandella. One of its most enduring moments sees Patrick serenade Kat from the bleachers with 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You', turning a school stadium into the setting for an unforgettable romantic gesture.
Ledger went on to build an acclaimed career in films including Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight before his death at 28 in 2008. His performance as Patrick remains among his best-loved early roles.
For Stiles, revisiting the film on 'Dancing With the Stars' was about more than recreating a scene audiences remember. It was a chance to acknowledge the person behind the performance and the connection that continues to bring viewers back to the movie.
More than 27 years after the romantic comedy's release, its music, characters and memorable scenes continue to resonate. On the DWTS ballroom floor, Stiles found a way to honour that legacy — and remind fans why Patrick and Kat's story still matters.
