Julia Stiles Reclaims the Spotlight on Dancing With The Stars

Stiles, known for her breakout role in 10 Things I Hate About You, admitted that the early intoxication of stardom quickly curdled into fear. During the show’s Viral Hits Night, she performed a tango with professional partner Ezra Sosa, noting that the lyrics resonated with her long-standing, complicated relationship with being watched. She described the experience as a vital step in learning to embrace her identity as a performer on her own terms.

Despite a challenging score of 16 out of 30 and tough critiques from judges, the actress found a support system in Sosa, who helped her navigate the vulnerability of the experience. Her journey on the show has also prompted public reconciliations; Juilliard issued an apology for a clerical error regarding her alumni status, and television host Andy Cohen retracted his previous disparaging comments about her dancing. Through it all, Stiles has worked to dispel myths about her professional history, clarifying that she received no formal dance training for her iconic role in Save the Last Dance and relied on a stunt double for the film’s more complex sequences.