The cast of 10 Things I Hate About You reunited on Dancing with the Stars as Julia Stiles paid tribute to her late co-star Heath Ledger during the programme’s Dedication Night.
Stiles performed a contemporary routine with her professional partner Ezra Sosa, dancing to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” on Tuesday night’s episode.
At the close of the performance, a voice message from Stiles played as a photograph of Ledger appeared on screen. She then placed a rose on a staircase before her former co-stars joined her on stage.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan, Susan May Pratt and Gabrielle Union took part in the reunion, sharing a moment with Stiles in memory of Ledger.
Speaking in a rehearsal package before the dance, Stiles said: “I learned a lot from Heath… It was so easy with him. I have so many great memories. I really wish I could pick up the phone, and be like, ‘Hey dude.’”
She had previously admitted that preparing for the routine had been more emotional than expected, despite the film having been made many years ago.
“I’m actually surprised at how emotional it’s been,” Stiles said. “I know from watching the show how emotional Dedication Night is. It’s always very personal stories. But I thought, ‘Oh, I’m distanced enough from it. The movie was so many years ago.’”
She added: “But something about watching clips from that movie, seeing our pictures, hearing our voices is bringing up a lot.”
Stiles said she felt it was important to honour Ledger, adding: “He lives on because his performance in that film was so incredible.”
During the previous week’s programme, Stiles had performed a dance inspired by another of her best-known films, Save the Last Dance.
