Julia Stiles Honors Heath Ledger During DWTS Dedication Night

Julia Stiles will pay tribute to her late co-star Heath Ledger during Dedication Night on Dancing With the Stars, performing with professional dancer Ezra Sosa to Frankie Valli's Can't Take My Eyes Off You. The October 20, 2026, performance revisits their 1999 romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You, in which Ledger famously performed the same song.

According to Cosmopolitan's October 20 report, Stiles became unexpectedly emotional during rehearsals as she revisited scenes and photographs from the film. The tribute is part of an episode in which the remaining celebrity contestants dedicate their dances to people or places that have significantly influenced their lives.

Speaking about the rehearsals, Stiles told People that revisiting the film had affected her more deeply than expected.

"I'm actually surprised at how emotional it's been. I know from watching the show how emotional Dedication Night is. It's always very personal stories.

But I thought, 'Oh, I'm distanced enough from it. The movie was so many years ago.' But something about watching clips from that movie, seeing our pictures, hearing our voices is bringing up a lot."

Stiles said.

Stiles also explained why the performance mattered to her, emphasizing Ledger's lasting impact through his work in the film.

"I really feel how important it is to honor him. He lives on because his performance in that film was so incredible." Stiles said.

Ledger died in 2008 from an accidental prescription drug overdose. His performance in 10 Things I Hate About You remains closely associated with the film's memorable musical sequence, which Stiles and Sosa are revisiting through their planned dance.

Although their characters were romantic partners in the movie, Stiles and Ledger did not date in real life. Director Gil Junger addressed speculation about the cast's relationships in 2021, revealing that Stiles briefly dated another co-star instead.

"She, for a minute or 10, went out with Joseph Gordon-Levitt." Junger said. He added that the two actors were attracted to each other.

Stiles previously discussed her relationship with Ledger in a 2016 interview with ABC Australia, explaining that they did not maintain contact after filming ended. She also reflected on the significance of the film's enduring popularity.

"As an actor, you of course hope your work continues to mean something in years to come. It's a very special thing to be in a movie that people genuinely care about so many years on." Stiles said.

She described her reaction to learning of Ledger's death and remembered the energy he brought to his career.

"Heath and I did not keep in touch after filming ended, but when I heard about his death, I was incredibly sad, I was very shocked." Stiles said.

Stiles also recalled Ledger as someone whose career was gaining momentum at the time.

"was such a force, such a vibrant person, right at the really exciting time of his life." Stiles said.

Sosa has also offered a glimpse of the upcoming routine. In a TikTok video shared ahead of the episode, he reacted emotionally to Stiles' costume and complimented her appearance.

"You look so pretty." Sosa said.

The tribute is one of several personal performances scheduled for Dedication Night. According to the previously announced lineup, Jackson Olson and Emma Slater will perform a quickstep to Nat King Cole's L-O-V-E in honor of Olson's mother, Laura Olson, who is also expected to appear as a special guest.

Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson are scheduled to dance a foxtrot to John Mayer's Stop This Train dedicated to Shum's wife, Shelby Rabara, who is set to attend. Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess are slated to perform a contemporary routine to Ed Sheeran's Supermarket Flowers.

The episode will also feature a performance dedicated to Dolly Parton set to Here You Come Again. The show's official announcement described the program as a night in which 10 remaining couples would honor influential people and places through their performances.

Dedication Night follows a staffing change involving professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, who received a one-week suspension after a social media post targeting judge Carrie Ann Inaba. Alan Bersten replaced him for the episode, according to the October 19 report by Yahoo Canada.