Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali Honor Heath Ledger and James Avery on Dancing with the Stars
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Julia Stiles paid tribute to Heath Ledger, and Tatyana Ali honored James Avery, on Dancing with the Stars dedication night. Stiles reunited with 10 Things I Hate About You castmates, while Ali danced a tearful waltz with her former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star Alfonso Ribeiro. Both earned their highest scores of the season.
Dedication Night at a Glance
| Julia Stiles | Tatyana Ali | |
|---|---|---|
| Honoring | Heath Ledger | James Avery |
| Connection | Co-star, 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) | On-screen father figure, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air |
| Dance style | Contemporary | Viennese waltz |
| Partner | Ezra Sosa | Jan Ravnik |
| Song | Cover of Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You | (You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am |
| Special guests | Andrew Keegan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Susan May Pratt, Gabrielle Union | Alfonso Ribeiro |
| Score | 36 (season high) | 32 (season high) |
Episode: Week 6, Season [X], aired [date] on [network]. Streaming on [platform].
Julia Stiles Dances for Heath Ledger
Stiles dedicated her contemporary routine to Ledger, her co-star in the 1999 romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You. Ledger played Patrick Verona, a role that became a favorite among teenage audiences.
She and partner Ezra Sosa danced to a cover of Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You, and the choreography referenced the film’s famous serenade scene. During rehearsals, Stiles became emotional recalling Ledger’s authenticity and their time on set. She said she wished she could call him and tell him how much the movie still means to viewers.
Before the broadcast, Stiles and Sosa shared a joint Instagram statement calling the dance a tribute to a film that changed lives and an actor whose influence continues.
The Rose and the Reunion
Stiles ended the routine by placing a rose in front of Ledger’s photograph. As the music faded, Andrew Keegan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Susan May Pratt, and Gabrielle Union joined her on the floor.
Judge Derek Hough praised the moment as a blend of joy, fun, and emotion. The four judges gave Stiles a total of 36, her best score of the competition.
Who Was Heath Ledger?
Ledger was an Australian actor who rose to fame in 10 Things I Hate About You. His later roles included A Knight’s Tale and Brokeback Mountain, and his performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight earned a posthumous Academy Award. He died in January 2008 at age 28. The New York City medical examiner ruled his death an accidental overdose of prescription medications.
Tatyana Ali Dances for James Avery
Ali dedicated her performance to James Avery, who played Uncle Phil, the father figure to her character Ashley on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Avery died on December 31, 2013, after complications from open-heart surgery.
In a TikTok posted before the episode, Ali explained what Avery meant to her. She met him when she was 11. She remembered that he gave her a baby doll every holiday, explaining that the dolls looked like her and that he wanted her to see her own beauty. She credited him with mentorship throughout her childhood.
A Waltz With Her On-Screen Brother
Ali and Jan Ravnik performed a Viennese waltz to (You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am, a song associated with Nancy Wilson. Ali recorded her own cover of it, and she chose it because Wilson was one of Avery’s favorite artists.
Midway through, Ravnik stepped aside so Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton Banks, could finish the dance with Ali. The two embraced in tears as Avery’s portrait appeared behind them. Ribeiro called dancing with Ali a blessing.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba praised the performance’s grace and compared it to an old Hollywood film come to life. She said it showed how movement can express meaningful experiences. Ali’s total of 32 was her highest of the season.
Who Was James Avery?
Avery played Judge Philip Banks, “Uncle Phil,” for all six seasons of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996). He was also known for voice work, including the villain Shredder in the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon.
Why These Tributes Resonated
Both dances worked because they were specific. Stiles recreated a scene fans remember, and Ali used a song tied to Avery’s tastes and a partner who shared her history with him. Each tribute also brought in the people who knew these actors best: the 10 Things cast and Ribeiro.
