Julia Stiles Leads 10 Things I Hate About You Cast in DWTS Tribute

Cast members reunite on the ballroom floor

The routine concluded with the audio of Stiles reciting the poem she read to Ledger in the film, while Stiles placed a rose on the stairs. Following the dance, her co-stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan, Gabrielle Union, and Susan May Pratt joined her on the ballroom floor.

Stiles told Variety that she requested each former co-star join her on stage to represent Ledger’s legacy and that the cast rallied to her request. Stiles said she maintained a firm condition that any reunion on stage required the presence of the entire cast.

Stiles admits to bawling during rehearsal process

Stiles admitted to "bawling" while preparing for the tribute performance on Dancing With the Stars. She told Variety that the rehearsal process proved more emotionally taxing than she initially expected.

While preparing for the routine with her partner Ezra Sosa, Stiles told him, "I learned a lot from Heath… It’s a lot," while noting she began to cry during practice. She told Variety that she had believed she was sufficiently distanced from the 1999 film, but viewing clips and hearing the voices of herself and Ledger during rehearsals brought back many memories.

Stiles explained her reaction by stating, "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 noted that she started crying while practicing for the routine.

Stiles reflects on Heath Ledger's legacy

The performance was a tribute to Ledger, who played the onscreen love interest of Stiles in the 1999 film "10 Things I Hate About You". Stiles stated that she "learned a lot" from the late actor, whom she described as "so authentic".

During a video package, Stiles told Sosa, "I learned a lot from Heath… It was so easy with him. I have so many great memories. I really wish I could pick up the phone, and be like, ‘Hey dude’”. She added that her response in the movie scene was real and that she hoped to "recreate the musk for life he had" in that scene.

Regarding the legacy of her late co-star, Stiles said, "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". Ezra Sosa stated on Instagram that the tribute was about "honoring a beautiful moment in time, a film that changed so many lives, and someone whose impact continues to be felt by generations".

Performance references 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You

The routine featured the Frankie Valli song Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, which Heath Ledger’s character Patrick sang to Julia Stiles’ character Kat Stratford in the 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You. During the rehearsal week, Stiles rewatched much of the film and studied audio and video clips from the original production.

Stiles described the experience as really trippy as she wore a blue dress and hairstyle similar to her appearance in the original film. At 45, the actress reflected on filming the project at age 17, noting that the tribute process brought back fond memories of her younger self and the cast. At 45, she reflected that she never imagined celebrating her body and dancing on a show whose fans are still interested in the movie.

Stiles and Sosa approach tribute with sensitivity

Julia Stiles and her partner Ezra Sosa approached the dance with care, sensitivity, and intention. Before the performance, the pair stated in a joint Instagram post that they sought guidance from those who held Heath Ledger’s memory closest. Sosa reiterated this approach in a separate Instagram post shared hours before the live show.

Broadway musical adaptation scheduled for 2027

A Broadway musical adaptation of 10 Things I Hate About You is scheduled to begin preview performances on 17 August 2027. The musical is described as a rebellious story about two sisters defining themselves on their own terms.

The creative team includes music and lyrics by Carly Rae Jepsen and Ethan Gruska, with a book written by Lena Dunham and Jessica Huang. Tom Kitt is overseeing music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations, while Christopher Wheeldon serves as director and choreographer, with Mike Bosner producing.

Heath Ledger died in 2008

Heath Ledger died in January 2008 at the age of 28. His death was caused by an accidental overdose.