Julia Stiles paid tribute to her late 10 Things I Hate About You co-star Heath Ledger with an emotional dance performance that reunited the original cast. The actress, 45, performed a contemporary routine to Frankie Valli's Can't Take My Eyes Off You with professional partner Ezra Sosa during Tuesday's episode of Dancing with the Stars.
The song is iconic to fans of the 1999 teen romcom, having featured in a memorable scene where Ledger's character, Patrick Verona, serenaded Stiles's Kat Stratford beneath the school bleachers.
A Night of Dedication
The performance was part of the ABC competition's Dedication Night. In a pre-recorded video package, Stiles reflected on working with Ledger, who died aged 28 in January 2008. She said: "I learned a lot from Heath. He was so authentic."
Stiles also expressed sadness that she could not tell Ledger how much the film still means to audiences more than two decades later. "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.' And I can't do that," she said.
An Emotional Tribute
The routine culminated with Stiles approaching a photograph of herself and Ledger and placing a rose beside it, as an audio recording of her reciting Kat's iconic poem from the film played in the background.
The moment became more poignant when five of Stiles's former co-stars joined her on stage in a surprise reunion. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan and Susan May Pratt returned to celebrate the film and pay tribute to Ledger.
Enduring Legacy
The performance also incorporated a clip featuring the film's memorable cat, adding another nostalgic nod to the beloved comedy. Released in 1999, 10 Things I Hate About You has remained a cult favourite, with Ledger's performance helping cement his status as one of the most fondly remembered actors of his generation. The reunion offered a moving reminder of the film's enduring legacy and the affection its cast continue to hold for their late co-star.
