Julia Stiles revisited one of her most memorable films in an emotional performance dedicated to late actor Heath Ledger on Dancing with the Stars, bringing several of their former co-stars together more than 27 years after the release of 10 Things I Hate About You.
The actress performed with professional dancer Ezra Sosa during the American competition show’s Dedication Night on October 20, 2026. Their contemporary routine was set to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, the song Ledger famously performed in the 1999 teen romantic comedy.
The performance moved beyond a recreation of a familiar movie scene. Stiles used the routine to remember a colleague whose work and generosity had left a lasting impression on her, while the appearance of their former castmates gave the tribute an added personal dimension.
A familiar song brings back a memorable film moment
In 10 Things I Hate About You, Ledger played Patrick Verona, a teenager who tries to win over Stiles’ character, Kat Stratford, with a spirited performance of Valli’s song from the bleachers at her school.
The scene, which combines humour, romance and Ledger’s playful screen presence, became one of the film’s best-known moments. Stiles’ performance on Dancing with the Stars returned to that musical connection, with choreography inspired by elements of the original film.
She wore a blue dress reminiscent of the clothing associated with Kat Stratford. Near the end of the routine, Stiles approached a photograph of herself and Ledger, placed a rose beside it and was joined by former cast members.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan and Susan May Pratt reunited with Stiles on the ballroom floor.
The gathering brought together actors whose careers were connected by the film, which remains familiar to audiences long after its original theatrical release.
Julia Stiles reflects on working with Heath Ledger
In footage recorded around the performance, Stiles spoke about her memories of Ledger and the difficulty of revisiting scenes from their time together.
She recalled learning from him as an actor and described their time working together as a positive experience. Returning to the film through photographs, recorded scenes and familiar voices brought back emotions she had not expected to feel so strongly.
Stiles had previously spoken about Ledger’s generosity during the making of the film. In a 2021 interview with Good Morning America, she recalled a scene in which she delivered the emotional poem that became one of Kat’s defining moments.
According to Stiles, Ledger did not try to compete with her performance when the camera focused on her. Instead, he recognised that the scene belonged to her and allowed her to carry its emotional weight.
That recollection offers context for the tribute: Stiles was remembering not only an actor associated with an iconic romantic-comedy scene, but also a colleague whose approach to acting had influenced her.
Ledger died in January 2008 at the age of 28. He later became widely recognised for performances in films including Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight, the latter earning him a posthumous Academy Award for supporting actor.
Original cast members return for the tribute
Stiles wanted the reunion to include more of the people who had made the 1999 film, rather than treating the performance as a tribute involving only herself and her dance partner.
Speaking to Variety after the show, she explained that she had asked her former castmates to join her in representing Ledger’s legacy and the film.
The resulting reunion gave the performance a collective quality. The actors’ appearance connected the television tribute with the original production and the relationships formed around it.
For viewers who remember the film from its initial release, the reunion offered a return to its familiar characters. Younger audiences encountering the movie later could also see the cast together again, in a setting that celebrated the film’s continued place in popular culture.
Why the 1999 film still resonates
Directed by Gil Junger, 10 Things I Hate About You is a teen romantic comedy inspired by William Shakespeare’s play The Taming of the Shrew. Its story centres on Kat Stratford and Patrick Verona, whose relationship develops amid high-school rivalries, family expectations and romantic complications.
The film helped introduce a wider audience to several performers who would go on to build varied careers. Ledger’s performance, in particular, remains closely associated with the movie’s mix of mischievous humour and romantic charm.
The film’s continued recognition also reflects the way audiences return to familiar stories through streaming, television broadcasts and social media discussions. Memorable scenes and songs can remain part of popular culture long after a film’s original theatrical run.
Stiles’ performance on Dancing with the Stars brought those elements together: the song, the characters, the memories of making the film and the people who shared that experience.
For Ledger, who died before the film’s long-term cultural impact could fully unfold, the tribute offered a public reminder of how a performance can continue to connect with audiences years after an actor’s death.
Q1. Why did Julia Stiles honour Heath Ledger on Dancing with the Stars?
Julia Stiles dedicated her October 20, 2026, performance to her late co-star Heath Ledger, remembering their work together in 10 Things I Hate About You and his influence on her.
Q2. When did Julia Stiles pay tribute to Heath Ledger?
Stiles performed the tribute during Dancing with the Stars Dedication Night on October 20, 2026.
Q3. Which song did Julia Stiles use for her tribute?
She and professional dance partner Ezra Sosa performed a contemporary routine to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, featured in the 1999 film.
Q4. Which film did Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger star in together?
They played Kat Stratford and Patrick Verona in 10 Things I Hate About You, a teen romantic comedy released in 1999.
Q5. Which actors reunited with Julia Stiles?
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan and Susan May Pratt joined Stiles following her performance.
Q6. When did Heath Ledger die?
Heath Ledger died in January 2008, aged 28.
Q7. What made the tribute special?
The performance combined a song associated with Ledger’s character, choreography inspired by the film and a reunion of several original cast members.
Q8. Is the tribute relevant to UAE audiences?
The story has no specific UAE connection, but it may interest UAE residents who follow Hollywood films, entertainment news and classic romantic comedies.
