Recreating An Iconic Teen Movie Moment On Stage

Heath Ledger never got to witness how deeply *10 Things I Hate About You* would resonate with new generations of moviegoers—so on Tuesday night, Julia Stiles made sure everyone in the ballroom felt his spirit. Competing on *Dancing with the Stars* Dedication Night on October 20, the 45-year-old actress and professional partner Ezra Sosa performed a moving contemporary routine set to Frankie Valli's *Can't Take My Eyes Off You*. Movie fans immediately recognized the track as the exact song Ledger's character, Patrick Verona, famously sang while dancing down the stadium bleachers to win over Stiles's character, Kat Stratford, in the 1999 romantic comedy. Stiles wore a flowing blue dress inspired by her character's costume in the film and wove several playful choreography callbacks to Ledger's original stadium routine into the performance.

Castmates Reunite For A Moving Rose Tribute

As the music reached its emotional finale, Stiles walked toward a framed photograph of herself and Ledger from the 1999 film set and gently placed a single red rose on the steps. She then stepped backward into the waiting arms of her former *10 Things I Hate About You* co-stars—Gabrielle Union, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Andrew Keegan, Susan May Pratt, and Larisa Oleynik—who surprised the crowd by gathering on stage to support her. Ledger passed away in 2008 at the age of 28 from an accidental prescription medication overdose. During pre-taped rehearsal footage, Stiles admitted that revisiting old clips and hearing their teenage voices stirred up far more emotion than she anticipated after nearly three decades.

Keeping Heath Ledger’s Vibrant Spirit Alive

"It was so easy with him. I have so many great memories, but I'm also really sad, because I wish I could pick up the phone and be like, 'Hey dude, people really care about that movie. We did something special,'" Stiles shared tearfully. Speaking with co-host Julianne Hough after the dance, Stiles recalled that Ledger was the undisputed leader of their young cast who effortlessly brought out the light in everyone around him. Having consulted people close to Ledger before building the tribute, Stiles said her goal was capturing his unforgettable lust for life on stage. Read more heartwarming tributes and television highlights from across Hollywood. Visit our entertainment page today on The WAU.

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