DWTS’ Julia Stiles Reunites With 10 Things Cast to Honor Heath Ledger

“What came up for me a lot in this dance was remembering who I was at 17 years old and who I am now,” she told co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro after her performance received a score of 36 out of 40. “We were so playful back then.” 

And prior to her emotional tribute, Stiles reflected on filming the beloved rom-com, calling it a “really special moment in time.”

“It’s a great song, and he was amazing in that scene,” Stiles shared during a recent TikTok livestream alongside Sosa at rehearsals. “So, we’re gonna bring it for you guys.”

Which meant that Stiles’ dedication doubled as a celebration of the Dark Knight star.

“It was important to me that, in the music and in the dance, that we have the somber tribute to him because obviously he’s passed away and he’s no longer with us,” Stiles— who shares kids Strummer, 8, Arlo, 4, and a 2-year-old with husband Preston Cook—shared, “but also that scene brings so much joy to people.”

“And his energy in it, I wanted to have musically and in terms of the choreography,” she continued. “We want to have the joyful celebration of when he was around.”

In the years since the film’s release, Stiles has opened up about Ledger’s demeanor, noting that he was “very kind and generous” to her.

“He was amazing,” she told E! News in January 2025. “He was such a bright light.”

As Stiles explained, though she and her fellow costars had “such a good time and were close on that set,” Ledger’s presence was notable.

“He just walked into the room,” she recalled, “and lit it up.”

For a closer look at the DWTS cast from this season, keep reading…