During the live dedication show on Dancing with the Stars, actress Julia Stiles honored her former co-star Heath Ledger from the movie “10 Things I Hate About You.” Stiles, along with her partner Ezra Sosa, performed a contemporary routine to the song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli. The performance was a tribute to Ledger’s character in the film, where he serenades Stiles’s character.
In a pre-performance video, Stiles shared her genuine admiration for Ledger, expressing her sadness despite cherishing many fond memories of him. She mentioned her desire to recreate Ledger’s zest for life. The dance concluded with a touching moment as Sosa left Stiles on the dance floor while her iconic monologue from the movie played, accompanied by a photo of Stiles and Ledger.
Reflecting on the dance, Stiles spoke to host Julianne Hough about the nostalgia of being 17 years old and the impact Ledger had as a charismatic leader during their time filming. Ledger, who tragically passed away from an accidental overdose in 2008 at the age of 28, posthumously won an Oscar for his role as the Joker in “The Dark Knight.”
Stiles and Sosa received their highest score of the season, with all nines from the judges. The emotional tribute night also featured other heartfelt performances, including Tatyana Ali honoring her late “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” co-star James Avery. Ali’s dance partner, Jan Ravnik, and host Alfonso Ribeiro joined her in a Viennese waltz dedicated to Avery, who played Uncle Phil on the show.
The evening was filled with poignant moments as cast members paid homage to their loved ones and former colleagues, leaving viewers emotionally moved by the heartfelt performances on the show.