Julia Stiles Breaks Down During Emotional Heath Ledger Tribute on 'Dancing With the Stars' as '10 Things I Hate About You' Cast Reunites
Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa danced to the same song Heath Ledger sang in the film.
Oct. 21 2026, Published 2:56 p.m. ET
Julia Stiles shed tears as she paid tribute to her late co-star Heath Ledger on Dancing With the Stars' Dedication Night, performing a contemporary dance alongside pro partner Ezra Sosa, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
Her October 20 performance celebrated Ledger, who died in 2008 at age 28, as Stiles reunited with castmates from 10 Things I Hate About You, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan, and Susan May Pratt.
The Dance Was Inspired by Iconic Movie Moment
The tribute featured choreography inspired by Ledger’s famous stadium run.
Stiles and Sosa danced to Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, the song Ledger’s character, Patrick, famously serenades Kat, played by Stiles, in 10 Things I Hate About You.
Stiles wore a flowing blue dress that recalled her character’s look, while the choreography incorporated elements inspired by Ledger’s performance.
The routine began with a more subdued, acoustic feel before building toward a fuller, brass-led section. At its close, audio of Stiles reciting Kat’s poem from the movie played as she approached a photo of Ledger and placed a rose beside it.
Her former castmates then joined her, linking arms and looking toward the image.
In rehearsal footage shown before the dance, Stiles recalled Ledger as “so authentic” and said she wished she could call him to tell him how much people still care about the movie.
“I want to recreate the lust for life that he had in that scene,” she said.
Stiles Wanted the Cast to Share the Tribute
Stiles asked for the whole cast, saying they had been 'a pack.'
Stiles said she didn't want to honor Ledger by herself. She explained the original cast was close-knit and asked that the group join her onstage.
“It can’t just be one person, because we were a pack,” she said, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Speaking after the performance, Stiles said Ledger brought out the best in those around him.
"He made everybody else shine,” she said, adding that he had been the group’s leader on set.
Stiles also said she and Sosa approached the performance with care, aiming to make the tribute feel sincere and respectful.
Judges Respond to Emotional Performance
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Stiles placed a red rose beside Ledger’s image at the end of the dance.
The tribute moved the judges and audience. Carrie Ann Inaba became tearful and described the dance as a healing “expression of the soul.”
Bruno Tonioli praised the performance as wonderful and well done.
Stiles and Sosa earned 36 points for the routine.
