Julia Stiles Breaks Down in Tears During Emotional Heath Ledger Tribute on Dancing with the Stars. Actress Julia Stiles paid a heartfelt tribute to her late 10 Things I Hate About You co-star Heath Ledger during an emotional performance on Dancing with the Stars. Dancing alongside partner Ezra Sosa, she performed to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” the same song Ledger famously sang to her character in the beloved 1999 film.

🥹 A Beautiful Reminder of Their Time Together. The performance took place during the show’s Dedication Night, honoring Ledger, who died in 2008 at just 28 years old. At the end of the routine, Stiles recited a poem connected to the movie, while several of her former co-stars joined the tribute. The contemporary dance featured intimate choreography and styling inspired by her character, Kat Stratford.

❤️ “I Wish I Could Pick Up the Phone.” Before the performance, Stiles shared how special making the film had been and how much she learned from Ledger. She spoke about the wonderful memories they shared and expressed how much she wished she could call him again. She also said it was touching that audiences still cared so deeply about the movie, even though Ledger was no longer there to celebrate its legacy with them.

🕊️ A Legacy That Still Touches Millions. Sosa explained that the tribute was created with care and respect, celebrating the film and Ledger’s lasting impact without trying to tell a story that wasn’t theirs to tell. The judges awarded Stiles four nines for the performance. Ledger, remembered for films including Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight, later received a posthumous Oscar for his role as the Joker. His memory continues to live on through the films and moments that touched so many hearts. 🤍