Julia Stiles reunited with her “10 Things I Hate About You” co-stars during an emotional “Dancing with the Stars” tribute to Heath Ledger.
Stiles, 45, and her professional partner Ezra Sosa performed during Tuesday’s Dedications Week episode, choosing to honor Ledger, who died in January 2008 at age 28. The actor played Patrick Verona opposite Stiles’ Kat Stratford in the 1999 teen romantic comedy, a pairing that launched both of their careers when they were still teenagers.
Stiles and Sosa approached the performance with unusual gravity. “I don’t think we’ve ever approached a performance with more care, sensitivity, and intention than this one,” the pair said in a joint statement ahead of the show. “From the very beginning it was incredibly important to both Julia and I that this tribute be created with the utmost respect, thoughtfulness, and close guidance from those who hold Heath and his memory closest.”
The dance itself carried layered meaning. Stiles and Sosa performed to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” the same song Ledger’s character famously used to serenade Kat on the stadium bleachers in the film. The routine concluded with audio of Stiles reciting the poem her character delivers in the movie, a moment that brought several former cast members onto the ballroom floor.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan, Gabrielle Union and Susan May Pratt all made surprise appearances to support the tribute. The reunion marked a rare gathering of the ensemble nearly 26 years after the film’s release.
In a pre-dance clip aired during the episode, Stiles spoke directly to Sosa about her memories of working with Ledger. “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. People really care about that movie. We did something special.’ And I can’t do that.”
Stiles has spoken publicly about Ledger’s impact before. In an interview last year, she recalled his presence on set. “He just walked into the room and lit it up,” she said. “Which, you know, when you’re an actress in your first leading role in a big studio movie, you need to feel comfortable with the other person. And he was very generous that way.”
The pair’s statement emphasized their focus on restraint and respect. “This isn’t about defining a relationship or telling a story that isn’t ours to tell. It’s about honoring a beautiful moment in time, a film that changed so many lives, and someone whose impact continues to be felt by generations,” they said. “We’ve poured so much love into this piece, and we’re incredibly grateful for the trust placed in us to bring it to life. Our only hope is that it honours his memory with the dignity, love, and respect it deserves.”
The performance resonated with viewers, who shared emotional reactions on X following the broadcast. “I sobbed. So beautiful. Thank you, Julia and Ezra. The world misses Heath,” one viewer posted. Another wrote: “This is the best and most beautiful tribute dance for Heath. I loved the 10 Things I Hate About You cast reunion.” A third added simply: “I miss Heath too. Beautiful performance!”
The judges awarded Stiles and Sosa four nines for their routine.
The 1999 film, a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” set at a Seattle-area high school, became a defining entry in the late-1990s teen movie wave and helped establish both Stiles and Ledger as rising stars. Ledger would go on to an acclaimed career including his Oscar-winning turn as the Joker in “The Dark Knight” before his death from an accidental prescription drug overdose.
Stiles and Sosa continue their “Dancing with the Stars” competition as the season progresses toward its finale.