In case your social media is flooded with throwbacks to the late ’90s and tearful emojis, you can attribute it to the latest episode of Dancing with the Stars. During the live dedication show on Tuesday, Julia Stiles honored her former co-star Heath Ledger from the movie “10 Things I Hate About You.” Stiles was not the only one from the 1999 teen comedy who came to pay tribute to the beloved actor.
Stiles and her dance partner Ezra Sosa performed a contemporary routine to the song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli, a clear nod to Ledger’s character, Patrick Verona, serenading Stiles’s character, Kat Stratford, in the movie. Before the dance, a video featuring Stiles and Sosa reminisced about Ledger, with Stiles expressing her genuine admiration for him during their time filming.
Despite having fond memories of Ledger, Stiles expressed her sadness at not being able to share the success of their movie with him. The dance performance concluded with a touching moment where Sosa left Stiles on the dance floor with a rose placed next to a photo of her and Ledger, followed by a reunion with her former co-stars from “10 Things.”
Reflecting on the dance, Stiles shared with host Julianne Hough her journey from being a 17-year-old to her present self. She fondly remembered Ledger as someone who brought light and playfulness to everyone around him, making their time together on set joyful and carefree.
The episode also featured other emotional tributes, including Tatyana Ali honoring her late co-star James Avery from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Ali and her partner performed a Viennese waltz to the tune of “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” by Nancy Wilson, with Alfonso Ribeiro, another co-star, joining them on stage to complete the heartfelt performance.
Heath Ledger, who tragically passed away in 2008 at the age of 28, posthumously received an Oscar for his role as the Joker in “The Dark Knight.” Sosa and Stiles received their highest score of the season, earning nines across the board for their poignant tribute dance.
The show stirred emotions in fans, evoking tears on a Tuesday night with its heartfelt performances and touching memories shared by the participants. The night was filled with moving tributes not only to late actors but also to the strong bonds and relationships formed through shared experiences in the entertainment industry.