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- How Stiles cleared the tribute with Michelle Williams and others
- The cast reunion that surprised viewers
- Designing a dance that honored Heath Ledger’s memory
- Judges’ reaction and the score breakdown
- Stiles on grief, memory, and the limits of what we can say
- Context: Heath Ledger’s passing and his daughter
- What comes next for Stiles on Dancing With the Stars
- How and when to watch
Julia Stiles turned a “Dedication Night” moment on Dancing With the Stars into a heartfelt homage to her late 10 Things I Hate About You co-star Heath Ledger, and she made sure to check with those closest to him first.
How Stiles cleared the tribute with Michelle Williams and others
Julia made a point of contacting people connected to Ledger before performing. She told Extra she reached out to Michelle Williams and others involved with Heath’s life. Michelle gave her blessing, Stiles said.
- She phoned former co-stars first.
- Writers of the 1999 rom-com were also contacted.
- The group agreed to join if everyone could take part.
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The cast reunion that surprised viewers
The tribute turned into a mini-reunion, as multiple 10 Things alumni appeared in the studio. Notable names included Gabrielle Union, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Larisa Oleynik. David Krumholtz missed the night because of a film shoot in New York, but he expressed regret at not attending.
Full list of onstage and in-studio participants
- Gabrielle Union
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt
- Larisa Oleynik
- Susan May Pratt
- Andrew Keegan
- Writers Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith
Designing a dance that honored Heath Ledger’s memory
Stiles and her professional partner Ezra Sosa chose a contemporary routine that balanced sorrow and celebration. They used the film’s memorable song — the one Ledger’s character sings — to mirror the movie’s emotional mix.
The goal was clear: keep the somber tone where needed, while also honoring the joy Heath brought to that scene. Stiles explained she wanted both the music and choreography to reflect his energy.
Judges’ reaction and the score breakdown
The performance earned rave reviews and became Julia and Ezra’s highest score yet. The judges awarded the pair a combined 36 out of 40 points. That result underlined how the emotional resonance landed with both the audience and the panel.
Stiles on grief, memory, and the limits of what we can say
Julia spoke candidly about the bittersweet side of revisiting those film moments. She admitted it was difficult not to be able to call Heath and tell him how much the movie still matters. The tribute, she suggested, was a way to let people feel connected to that memory.
Context: Heath Ledger’s passing and his daughter
Heath Ledger died at 28 in his New York loft in January 2008 of an accidental overdose. He left behind a daughter, Matilda, with ex-partner Michelle Williams. Stiles’ tribute acknowledged the loss while celebrating Ledger’s lasting impact on audiences.
What comes next for Stiles on Dancing With the Stars
Following the tribute, Julia and Ezra advanced to the show’s next theme night: Horror Night. They will return with a spooky routine meant to mark Halloween, continuing their run on DWTS.
How and when to watch
Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams on Disney+. Fans who missed the live tribute can find recaps and clips across the show’s social channels.
