‘DWTS’: Julia Stiles Reunites ’10 Things I Hate About You’ Cast to Honor Heath Ledger

Alyssa Norwin October 20, 2026, 10:18 pm

Gabrielle Union, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Julia Stiles, Andrew Keegan, Susan May Pratt — Dancing With the Stars/Instagram

What To Know

Julia Stiles honored Heath Ledger with her Dancing With the Stars Dedication Night dance.
She reunited with five of their 10 Things I Hate About You costars on the dance floor.
Stiles scored a 36/40 from the judges for her performance.

Julia Stiles staged the most epic reunion on the October 20 episode of Dancing With the Stars. After honoring her late 10 Things I Hate About You costar, Heath Ledger, with her contemporary dance to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” Stiles was joined on the dance floor by five other stars of the beloved 1999 film.

As Stiles’ voiceover of the “10 Things” poem she recited in the movie played in the background, she left a rose on the floor in front of a picture of her and Ledger. When she turned around, she was greeted by Gabrielle Union, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan, and Susan May Pratt.

Before the show, the cast also took a video on the DWTS lot. Union narrated the clip, which featured the group cheering for Stiles, and Gordon-Levitt assuring Union that she was the best hype person.

WORDS ARE GONE FROM MY MOUTH.

#DWTS https://t.co/320BKrB2tx

— madison kaitlyn |-/ (@TourDe_CBUS) October 21, 2026

In 10 Things I Hate About You, Ledger’s character serenades Stiles’ with a rendition of the Frankie Valli song, and Ezra Sosa choreographed a routine that was the perfect mix of heartfelt and fun to pay tribute. All four judges scored the performance with 9s, giving Stiles a 36/40 on the scoreboard. With this being such an emotional night for the cast, there was no elimination at the end of the episode.

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Ledger died in 2008 from an accidental drug overdose. While he and Stiles lost touch over the years, she always remembered him as a “bright light,” and on DWTS, she recalled how much fun they had working on 10 Things I Hate About You together. She also got choked up while admitting she wishes she could call him up and talk about how much people still love their movie today.

Because all of the couples were called safe tonight, there will be a double elimination next week. The remaining 10 couples will be taking on Halloween with Horror Movie Night.

Dancing With the Stars, Season 35, Tuesdays, 8/7c, ABC and Disney+