Influenced by the nostalgia of the late ’90s and emotive expressions flooding social media feeds, Dancing with the Stars took a poignant turn during its live dedication show this past Tuesday. Julia Stiles, known for her role in 10 Things I Hate About You, paid a heartfelt tribute to her co-star Heath Ledger.
The 1999 teen comedy cast members united to honor Ledger, with Stiles and her partner Ezra Sosa delivering a contemporary performance to the tune of Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli. The dance was a clear nod to the iconic scene where Ledger’s character serenades Stiles’s character.
Reflecting on her time with Ledger, Stiles expressed genuine sadness despite cherishing fond memories. She spoke of wishing she could reconnect with Ledger to acknowledge the impact of their work together. The performance concluded with a touching moment as Sosa left Stiles on the dance floor, accompanied by a memorable monologue and images of Stiles and Ledger displayed overhead.
Stiles later shared her reflections with host Julianne Hough, reminiscing about the carefree and playful atmosphere Ledger brought to the set. Ledger, who tragically passed away from an accidental overdose in 2008 at the age of 28, posthumously received an Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight.
The emotional evening on Dancing with the Stars extended beyond Stiles’ tribute, with other contestants honoring loved ones and colleagues. Tatyana Ali paid homage to her late Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star James Avery in a heartfelt Viennese waltz performance, featuring her former co-star Alfonso Ribeiro.
The evening was filled with touching moments and heartfelt tributes, capturing the essence of remembrance and celebration on the dance floor.