Influencing a wave of ’90s nostalgia and emotional reactions on social media, Dancing with the Stars recently featured a heartfelt tribute by Julia Stiles to her late co-star Heath Ledger from the iconic film 10 Things I Hate About You. The dedication show also welcomed other cast members from the 1999 teen comedy to honor Ledger.
Stiles, alongside her partner Ezra Sosa, delivered a touching contemporary performance to Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, reminiscent of Ledger’s character serenading Stiles in the movie. Reflecting on her memories with Ledger, Stiles expressed her sadness at his passing, wishing she could share with him the impact of their work together.
The dance culminated with a poignant moment as Sosa left Stiles on the dance floor, featuring a photo of Stiles and Ledger overhead, and a rose placed as a tribute. Joined by her 10 Things co-stars, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Gabrielle Union, Stiles paid homage to the camaraderie and playfulness they shared during filming.
In a touching exchange with host Julianne Hough, Stiles reminisced about Ledger’s ability to bring out the best in others and create a joyful atmosphere on set. Ledger, who tragically passed away in 2008 at the age of 28, posthumously won an Oscar for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight.
Receiving high praise from the judges, Sosa and Stiles achieved their best score of the season with all nines. The emotional tribute-filled episode also saw Tatyana Ali honoring her late Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star James Avery, with Alfonso Ribeiro joining her for a touching Viennese waltz performance.
The evening was a testament to the enduring impact of Ledger and the heartfelt connections shared among cast members, showcasing the power of nostalgia and the art of tribute on the dance floor.