Julia Stiles Recreates 'Save the Last Dance' Routine on 'Dancing With The Stars,' Welcomes Co-Star Cameo
Actress Julia Stiles captivated audiences by recreating a memorable dance from the 2001 film, joined by Sean Patrick Thomas.
Julia Stiles brought a wave of nostalgia to the 'Dancing With The Stars' ballroom this week, performing an iconic routine from the 2001 film "Save the Last Dance." The performance marked 25 years since the movie's release, with Stiles expressing it as a "do-over that I've always wanted."
Dancing with her professional partner Ezra Sosa, Stiles delivered a hip-hop and jazz-infused routine set to Jennifer Lopez's "Jenny From the Block." The performance paid homage to her character Sara Johnson's Juilliard audition finale, blending balletic movements with hip-hop. A surprise element emerged when Sosa stepped aside, revealing Stiles' "Save the Last Dance" co-star Sean Patrick Thomas, who had been watching from the sidelines.
Thomas, who played Derek in the film, mirrored a significant shot from the movie, drawing an emotional reaction from Stiles. "I seriously have been wanting a do-over on that movie for 25 years, and I never knew that I would get it on my favorite TV show on the planet!" Stiles told Entertainment Tonight. "I loved every minute of it."
Fans on social media expressed delight at the reunion and the "Save the Last Dance" tribute, with one user writing, "My millennial heart is bursting. Go girl #dwts."
According to Sosa, "Dancing With The Stars" host Alfonso Ribeiro was instrumental in incorporating Thomas into the performance. Ribeiro suggested including Thomas, who was present in the audience, during the dress rehearsal, leading to the surprise cameo.
The routine earned Stiles her highest score to date, a 33, with judge Bruno Tonioli praising the tribute and calling it her "best one so far." Carrie Ann Inaba commended Stiles' confidence and "grit," while Derek Hough enthusiastically praised her performance.
Looking ahead, Stiles is scheduled to honor her late "10 Things I Hate About You" co-star Heath Ledger during the show's upcoming "Dedication Night." She and Sosa will perform a contemporary routine to Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," the song famously sung by Ledger's character in the 1999 film. Ledger died in 2008 at the age of 28.
