Julia Stiles paid tribute to her late 10 Things I Hate About You co-star Heath Ledger on Dancing with the Stars. The actress performed with professional dancer Ezra Sosa during Dedication Night, revisiting a memorable moment from their 1999 romantic comedy. Stiles also reunited with several castmates to celebrate Ledger’s legacy 18 years after his death.
Speaking to Extra, Stiles revealed that she asked Michelle Williams for permission before dedicating the performance to Ledger. She recalled asking Williams, “If this was okay.” Stiles added, “And she said, yes.” Ledger and Williams, who dated from 2004 to 2007, share a daughter, Matilda. Ledger died in 2008 at age 28 from an accidental prescription drug overdose.
Julia Stiles reunites with her 10 Things I Hate About You castmates on DWTS
Stiles and Sosa danced to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” the song Ledger famously performed in 10 Things I Hate About You. In the film, Ledger’s character, Patrick Verona, sings to Stiles’ Kat Stratford from the bleachers during her soccer practice. The routine revisited the beloved scene while paying tribute to the actor.
Stiles took the lead in organizing a reunion with their former castmates. During her interview with Extra, she explained why she wanted everyone to participate in the dedication. Stiles said, “We needed to have somebody here to sort of represent the movie or represent Heath.” She further added, “I was like, I got to get the whole cast. Can’t just be one person, it’s got to be everybody.”
The actress contacted Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Susan May Pratt, and Andrew Keegan. She also reached out to the film’s two female writers to include them in the celebration. Stiles described how the group agreed to participate, saying, “Everybody said, ‘I’ll do it if everybody else does it.’” The collective effort eventually brought several cast members to the stage, including Gabrielle Union.
Stiles also told Extra that Ledger was “a beacon of light” on set. She remembered him as playful and described how he brought out the best in the young cast. The reunion celebrated the film’s lasting popularity while giving its cast an opportunity to honor Ledger.
Dancing with the Stars airs on ABC, with episodes also available on Disney+ and Hulu.
