Julia Stiles reunited with her 10 Things I Hate You castmates during an emotional tribute to Heath Ledger on Dancing with the Stars.
Stiles, who portrayed Kat Stratford opposite Ledger’s Patrick Verona in the 1999 cult rom‑com, highlighted the film’s iconic serenade scene using Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” During Tuesday’s performance (October 20), she wore a blue dress reminiscent of her movie outfit and danced with partner Ezra Sosa, incorporating several nods to Ledger’s memorable performance.
The routine culminated with a projected photo of Stiles and Ledger and the audio of Kat’s line, “I hate it when he’s not around,” followed by Stiles placing a rose beneath the image. She was then joined by former co‑stars Gabrielle Union, Joseph Gordon‑Levitt, Andrew Keegan, Susan May Pratt, and Larisa Oleynik.
Stiles told co‑host Julianne Hough that the dance reflected on her personal growth from age 17 and celebrated Ledger’s ability to illuminate everyone around him. She and Sosa emphasized the deep respect and intention behind the tribute, stating it was created with guidance from those close to Ledger’s memory and aimed to honor his lasting impact and the film’s legacy.
In August, it was confirmed that Lena Dunham and Carly Rae Jepsen’s musical adaptation of 10 Things I Hate You will hit Broadway in 2027. The project is described as a rebellious musical about self‑discovery and defying expectations, set amid teenage angst and sisterly bonds. Jepsen called the work “a playground of songwriting because the usual rules don’t apply.”
