More than 27 years after 10 Things I Hate About You first captured moviegoers’ hearts, Julia Stiles brought several of her former castmates together for an emotional television reunion celebrating the life and legacy of Heath Ledger.
The memorable moment unfolded during the October 20 episode of Dancing With the Stars, where Stiles dedicated her performance to Ledger, her onscreen love interest in the beloved 1999 romantic comedy.
Joined by professional partner Ezra Sosa, Stiles performed a contemporary dance to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” The song holds special significance for fans of the movie, recalling the unforgettable scene in which Ledger’s character, Patrick Verona, serenades Stiles’ Kat Stratford from the school bleachers.
The routine combined nostalgia with a deeply personal tribute. Stiles embraced visual references to her character from the film, while the choreography celebrated both Ledger’s playful screen presence and the lasting impact of his performance.
As the dance reached its conclusion, the atmosphere became even more emotional. A recording of Stiles reciting her character’s famous poem accompanied a tribute featuring a photograph of Ledger. She placed a rose near the image before turning to discover several familiar faces waiting for her.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan and Susan May Pratt had gathered to surprise Stiles, transforming the tribute into a reunion of six actors from the original film.
Their appearance brought an added layer of meaning to a performance already filled with memories of a costar whose career and life ended far too soon.
Ledger died in January 2008 at age 28. His performances in films including Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight established him as one of the most admired actors of his generation, but his role in 10 Things I Hate About You remains particularly meaningful to audiences who grew up watching the romantic comedy.
Before taking the ballroom floor, Stiles reflected on her experiences working alongside Ledger and the qualities that made him such a memorable colleague. She recalled his authenticity, the ease of their working relationship and the happiness associated with making the movie.
She also acknowledged the sadness of knowing she could never contact him to share just how much their film continues to mean to people.
That mixture of gratitude and loss shaped the performance, which sought to celebrate Ledger’s vibrant personality without overlooking the heartbreak surrounding his absence.
The judges responded positively, awarding Stiles and Sosa a combined score of 36 out of 40.
The evening ended without an elimination, allowing the remaining contestants to advance to the following week’s competition.
For longtime fans, however, the most memorable part of the night may have had little to do with the judges’ scores.
The reunion offered a rare opportunity to see familiar faces from a defining teen movie together again, united by their memories of a colleague who remains an important part of its legacy.
Nearly three decades after its theatrical release, 10 Things I Hate About You continues to connect generations of viewers. Stiles and her former castmates demonstrated that the affection surrounding the film extends beyond its audience to the people who helped bring it to life.
And while Ledger could not be there to share the moment, his presence was unmistakably at the heart of the celebration.
