Julia Stiles Reunites '10 Things' Cast to Honor Heath Ledger on DWTS

Julia Stiles paid emotional tribute to her late costar Heath Ledger during Tuesday's Dedication Night episode of Dancing with the Stars, performing a contemporary routine with partner Ezra Sosa to Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." The song choice directly referenced a pivotal scene from the 1999 film "10 Things I Hate About You," in which Ledger's character Patrick Verona serenades Stiles' character Kat Stratford with the same number from the bleachers during soccer practice.

In an unexpected moment, the performance culminated in a full cast reunion. After placing a rose beneath a photograph of Ledger, Stiles was joined on the dance floor by the entire main cast of the original film: Andrew Keegan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Susan May Pratt, and Gabrielle Union. Stiles personally requested each cast member's participation, saying she "begged them, each and every one of them" because she wanted "the whole cast" to represent Ledger's legacy and the film's impact. She reflected on the surreal experience of wearing a costume reminiscent of her character's blue dress and styling from the original film, describing it as "really trippy" while performing at 45 about a movie she made at 17.

Stiles spoke openly about the emotional weight of preparing for the tribute. During rehearsals, watching clips and hearing both her and Ledger's voices from the film brought back many memories. "I have so many great memories, but I'm also sad, because I really wish that I could pick up the phone and be like: 'Hey, dude, people really care about that movie. We did something special,'" she said. She emphasized that Ledger's legacy endures through his performance, which she described as "so incredible."

The judges awarded Stiles four 9s for a combined score of 36, her best performance of the season. Judge Derek Hough remarked on the significance of the moment, saying: "I mean, how cool is it to have created something that will last forever, you know? And tonight, this performance will last forever, as well. It was a perfect combination of joy, fun and emotion." Judge Carrie Ann Inaba told Stiles after the performance, "Watching you, it just makes me want to open my heart."

Ledger died in January 2008 at age 28 from an accidental overdose caused by a combination of prescribed painkillers and sedatives. "10 Things I Hate About You" marked Stiles' first major feature film role and the beginning of her acting career. Before the episode aired, Stiles and Sosa posted a joint Instagram statement saying the dance was about honoring "a film that changed so many lives, and someone whose impact continues to be felt by generations."