Julia Stiles paid tribute to her co-star Heath Ledger from the movie “10 Things I Hate About You” on the live dedication show of “Dancing with the Stars” this Tuesday. Stiles, along with her partner Ezra Sosa, performed a contemporary routine to the song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli, reminiscent of a scene from the movie where Ledger’s character serenades Stiles’s character. Stiles expressed her genuine admiration for Ledger, reminiscing about their time together and expressing her sadness over his passing. The performance also included a touching moment where Stiles left a rose under a photo of her and Ledger, surrounded by their co-stars from the film.
Stiles shared her feelings about the dance with host Julianne Hough, reflecting on the impact Ledger had on her and the playful nature they shared during filming. Ledger, who passed away in 2008 at the age of 28, posthumously won an Oscar for his role as the Joker in “The Dark Knight” in the same year. The performance by Sosa and Stiles received high praise from the judges, earning them their best score of the season.
The emotional tributes continued throughout the night, with other participants honoring their loved ones and co-stars. Tatyana Ali dedicated her dance to her late “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” co-star James Avery, with Alfonso Ribeiro joining her for the routine. Ali and her partner performed a Viennese waltz to “How Glad I Am” by Nancy Wilson, a heartfelt homage to Avery, who played Uncle Phil on the show and was a father figure to Ali.
The night was filled with heartfelt moments, showcasing the deep connections and memories shared by the participants on the show.
