The cast of 10 Things I Hate About You paid tribute to their late co-star Heath Ledger during Dedication Week on Dancing With the Stars. Julia Stiles, who is competing on the series this season, performed Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” with her professional partner, Ezra Sosa, in a nod to the 1999 film.
At the conclusion of the performance, Stiles was joined by Andrew Keegan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Gabrielle Union, and Susan May Pratt. The cast stood alongside Stiles after she laid a flower for Ledger, who died in 2008 at the age of 28, on the steps of the stage. They linked their arms in front of an image of Stiles and Ledger as Kat and Patrick.
On Instagram, Union reflected on the reunion, writing, “Tonight was so emotional and it meant a lot that we could be together.”
Ahead of the performance, Stiles and Sosa published a shared statement clarifying the intention behind dedicating the set to Ledger. “I don’t think we’ve every approached a performance with more care, sensitivity, and intention than this one,” Sosa said. “From the very beginning it was incredibly important to both Julia and I that this tribute be created with the utmost respect, thoughtfulness, and close guidance from those who hold Heath and his memory closest.”
The statement continued, “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. We’ve poured so much love into this piece, and we’re incredibly grateful for the trust placed in us to bring it to life,” he added. “Our only hope is that it honors his memory with the dignity, love, and respect it deserves.”
Next August, a musical version of 10 Things I Hate About You will open on Broadway with a book written by Lena Dunham and music by Carly Rae Jepsen.
