In a poignant display of remembrance, Julia Stiles honored her late co-star Heath Ledger during her recent performance on “Dancing With the Stars.” Ahead of the emotional tribute, Stiles reached out to Ledger’s former partner, Michelle Williams, to seek her blessing. Speaking to Extra, Stiles shared, “I did ask Michelle if this was OK, and she said yes.”
A Meaningful Tribute to a Beloved Film
Stiles performed a dance to Frankie Valli’s classic “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” a heartfelt homage to the iconic 1999 film “10 Things I Hate About You,” which starred both her and Ledger. While the tribute was a celebration of their shared legacy, Stiles refrained from commenting on what Ledger’s family might think, stating, “I don’t really want to speak for them.” It’s worth noting that Williams and Ledger, who dated from 2004 to 2007, have a daughter named Matilda.
Reunion of the Cast on DWTS
During the “DWTS” episode, Stiles reunited with several cast members from “10 Things I Hate About You,” including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Gabrielle Union, Susan May Pratt, and Andrew Keegan. However, fans were quick to notice the absence of David Krumholtz, who portrayed the nerdy friend Michael. Krumholtz later addressed his absence via a video posted to Instagram, revealing that he was busy shooting a movie in upstate New York. “I could not be in L.A. for ‘Dancing With the Stars’ last night. I would have loved loved loved to have been there,” he expressed. “Everyone looked so amazing.”
Reflecting on Heath Ledger
Krumholtz also shared his sentiments regarding Stiles’ tribute, saying, “Julia’s tribute to my dear friend, who I miss every single day, was amazing and stunning, and I’m so proud of her.” Stiles expressed her appreciation for Krumholtz’s message by commenting, “We love you Krumholtz!”
A Celebration of Growth and Nostalgia
After her performance, Stiles reflected on the importance of having as many cast members as possible on stage, stating, “I begged them, each and every one of them, and they all rallied. They really did.” She also expressed her gratitude for still being celebrated at the age of 45 for a film that marked a significant moment in her life. “At 17 years old, I never would have thought that I’d be here at 45, celebrating my body, dancing on the show that I absolutely love and that fans are still interested in this movie and still moved and touched by this movie,” she added.
