Julia Stiles honored her late co-star Heath Ledger with a heartfelt performance on Dancing With the Stars on October 20. Initially, many viewers responded positively, saying it reminded them of their teenage years. However, as time passed, the sentiment changed, and Stiles began to receive criticism for seeming attention-seeking. One user on X described it as “theater kid behavior.”
Stiles danced with her partner, Ezra Sosa, to Frankie Valli’s 1967 song Can’t Take My Eyes Off You during Dedication Night. This song is memorable to fans of their film, 10 Things I Hate About You, because Ledger’s character sings it to Stiles’s character in a school setting. Ledger died in 2008 at the age of 28 due to an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.
After the performance, Stiles was joined by five of her co-stars, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Gabrielle Union. They stood together, facing a picture of Ledger, with their arms around each other. Some fans expressed strong feelings about the tribute, with one saying Ledger left behind a great legacy. Another mentioned they tuned in just to see this performance.
Despite the support, some viewers believed Stiles was using Ledger’s memory for personal gain in the competition. One user noted it seemed like a ploy for fame, stating that they could not find such actions endearing after a moment. Others criticized the performance as “very weird” and commented on the nature of their relationship, suggesting it felt insincere since Stiles and Ledger had not stayed in touch after making the film.
Stiles had previously mentioned in a 2016 interview that she was shocked and saddened by Ledger’s death. Some online users speculated that her tribute could be a reflection of guilt. Before the performance, Stiles told People magazine that she was surprised by how emotional preparing for it felt. She acknowledged that the show often highlights personal stories, but did not expect it to affect her so deeply.
On Instagram, she shared that working on the film with Ledger was a meaningful experience and expressed sadness that they could not celebrate the movie together anymore. After the show, Stiles mentioned that she had asked Ledger’s former partner, Michelle Williams, if the tribute was acceptable, and Williams approved. However, Stiles chose not to comment on what Ledger’s family might think about the tribute.
What do you think about how Julia Stiles honored Heath Ledger?
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Source: Bored Panda, by Rocio Corsi