Influence of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Sparks ’90s Nostalgia Online
Julia Stiles honored her late co-star Heath Ledger from ’10 Things I Hate About You’ during a recent episode of ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ The tribute brought back memories for fans of the 1999 teen comedy.
Stiles, along with her dance partner Ezra Sosa, performed a contemporary routine to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” reminiscent of Ledger serenading Stiles in the iconic movie scene. Stiles expressed genuine admiration for Ledger, reminiscing about their time together on set.
Despite the sadness of Ledger’s passing in 2008 at the age of 28, Stiles cherished their shared moments and wished to honor his “lust for life.” The performance ended with a touching gesture as Stiles placed a rose in memory of Ledger, surrounded by images of their co-stars.
Reflecting on her past and present self, Stiles shared her emotional journey with host Julianne Hough post-performance. The night also saw other heartfelt tributes, including Tatyana Ali honoring her late ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ co-star James Avery, with the support of Alfonso Ribeiro.
Ledger’s legacy lives on, with Stiles and Sosa earning their highest score of the season for their emotional performance. The episode left fans emotional but ultimately appreciative of the heartfelt tributes paid to loved ones.