Julia Stiles paid a moving tribute to her late co-star, Heath Ledger, on Dancing With The Stars. While others chose to dedicate their dances to their moms or family members, the actress chose the beloved actor. However, she was slammed for “exploiting” his death for votes. Keep reading for more details.
Julia Stiles Slammed For ‘Exploiting’ Late Co-Star Heath Ledger For DWTS Votes
Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger starred in one of the most iconic rom-coms. 10 Things I Hate About You hit theaters in 1999. It was based on Shakespeare’s play, The Taming of the Shrew. The movie tells the unexpected love story of the two main characters – Kat and Patrick.
Heath Ledger passed away in 2008 after an accidental overdose. He was just 28 years old and left behind a young daughter, Matilda, with his former girlfriend, Dawson’s Creek star Michelle Williams. He won a posthumous Oscar a year after his death for his unforgettable performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight.
Julia Stiles finally accepted the offer to do DWTS after turning ABC down for years. Last week she paid tribute to Save the Last Dance with an unexpected appearance by Sean Patrick Thomas. After surviving elimination, she shared plans to honor Heath Ledger on Dedication Night.
10 Things I Hate About You stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gabrielle Union, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan, and Susan May Pratt joined Julia on stage at the end of the routine.
Most of the other DWTS contestants dedicated their dances to their moms. Julia Stiles was slammed online for “exploiting” Heath Ledger’s death for votes.
Ezra Sosa Defends Dance
10 Things I Hate About You is just as popular today as it was when it came out nearly 30 years ago. Julia Stiles put a lot of effort into the emotional tribute. Her pro partner, Ezra Sosa, defended her from the claims that she was using Heath Ledger’s death.
“From the very beginning, it was incredibly important to both Julia and I that this tribute be created with the utmost respect, thoughtfulness, and guidance from those who hold Heath and his memory closest,” he wrote on social media.
“This isn’t about defining a relationship or telling a story that isn’t ours to tell. It’s about honoring a beautiful moment in time, a film that changed so many lives, and someone whose impact continues to be felt by generations.”
The stunning routine earned a 36 out of 40 from the judges. Julia Stiles didn’t even need pity votes because the show skipped an elimination on the emotional night.
One viewer wrote on social media that they want to see who Julia Stiles is now, not who she was 30 years ago. She’s already referenced her two most popular movies, so we’ll see what she does next week for Horror Movie Night. Share your thoughts on her tribute in the comments.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger