Julia Stiles Performed Jazz Routine on Dancing with the Stars
The actress revisited her dance roots in a routine inspired by her role in the 2001 film Save the Last Dance.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Dance
Actress Julia Stiles performed a jazz routine on Dancing with the Stars alongside professional partner Ezra Sosa. The performance featured hip-hop choreography that paid tribute to her iconic role in the movie Save the Last Dance.
Why it matters
The appearance allowed Stiles to reconnect with the dance style that defined her early career. The performance served as a nostalgic nod to her breakthrough role while showcasing her current skills on the ballroom stage.
Stiles and Sosa received a combined judge score of 33 out of 40 points for their routine. The performance was set to the Jennifer Lopez song Jenny From the Block.
The players
Julia Stiles
She is a 45-year-old actress known for her early 2000s film work.
Ezra Sosa
He is a professional dancer who partnered with Stiles for the routine.
Sean Patrick Thomas
He is an actor who appeared in the film Save the Last Dance alongside Stiles.
Joe Buck
He served as a guest judge for the Dancing with the Stars episode.
The details
Stiles, aged 45, incorporated specific dance movements from her performance in Save the Last Dance into the routine. Her former co-star Sean Patrick Thomas was in attendance to watch the performance live at the ballroom.
Timeline
October 13, 2026: Julia Stiles performed on Dancing with the Stars.
Industry Dynamics
This routine highlights the ongoing entertainment trend of nostalgia-driven performances that leverage iconic pop culture moments. It bridges the gap between historical film successes and modern reality competition formats.
Viewers can watch the performance by tuning into the current season of Dancing with the Stars on its broadcast network or via streaming platforms. Fans of the original film can view how the choreography has evolved over the past two decades.
The takeaway
Revisiting classic dance roles can provide a powerful bridge between an actor's past work and current projects. Audiences often enjoy seeing how performers maintain their physical skills years after their initial breakout roles.
Further reading
For more on the current season of the show, see the Dance section.
