Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali Honor Late Co Stars on Dancing With the Stars

Former television and film co-stars honored the legacies of Heath Ledger and James Avery during an emotional dedication episode of Dancing With the Stars on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. Actors Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali chose performances celebrating the late actors, whose work left lasting impressions on their former castmates.

Stiles, who starred alongside Ledger in the 1999 romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You, performed a contemporary dance with professional partner Ezra Sosa. Ali reunited on the dance floor with Alfonso Ribeiro, her former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star, to honor Avery, who played her on-screen father, Uncle Phil.

Stiles and Sosa earned a combined score of 36 from the four judges, her highest score of the competition so far. Ali and Ribeiro's Viennese waltz earned 32 points, also marking her best result of the season.

During rehearsals, Stiles recalled Ledger's authenticity and their positive working relationship on the film. Ledger, who played Patrick Verona, died in 2008 from an accidental overdose caused by a combination of prescribed painkillers and sedatives.

Stiles explained that her memories of the film brought both happiness and sadness because she could no longer share its enduring impact with Ledger.

"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,'" Stiles said. "And I can't do that."

Before the broadcast, Stiles and Sosa shared a joint Instagram statement describing the performance as a tribute to the film and its late star. Their dance featured a cover of Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," recreating the spirit of the movie's memorable serenade scene.

At the end of the routine, Stiles placed a rose before a photograph of Ledger. Her former 10 Things I Hate About You castmates Andrew Keegan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Susan May Pratt and Gabrielle Union then joined her on the dance floor.

Judge Derek Hough praised the reunion and the performance's emotional impact.

"I mean, how cool is it to have created something that will last forever, you know?" Hough said. "And tonight, this performance will last forever, as well. It was a perfect combination of joy, fun and emotion."

Ali's tribute celebrated Avery's influence on her life from childhood. Avery died on New Year's Eve in 2013 following complications from open-heart surgery after portraying Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

In a TikTok video released before the episode, Ali recalled meeting Avery when she was 11 and described the personal encouragement he gave her while they worked together. She remembered receiving baby dolls from him during the holidays and the message he attached to those gifts.

"I met him when I was 11 years old," Ali said. "Every holiday, James would give me a baby doll. I have a collection of beautiful baby dolls. And he told me, 'I'm giving you these dolls because they look like you, and I always want you to know how beautiful you are.'"

Ali also expressed her affection for Avery during the rehearsal segment. Ribeiro described dancing with Ali in his honor as a blessing in his life.

The pair performed with professional dancer Jan Ravnik to Nancy Wilson's "(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am." Ali recorded a cover of the song and explained that Wilson was one of Avery's favorite artists.

During the routine, Ravnik stepped aside so Ribeiro could finish the dance with Ali. The former on-screen siblings embraced tearfully as the music ended, with Avery's portrait displayed behind them.

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba praised the reunion and reflected on the role dance can play in preserving meaningful memories.

"Dance plays a role in our lives, like, a real role," Inaba said. "And tonight, I saw it play this role right here live. And you dance like — it was like watching an old Hollywood film come to life, and all of your grace."