Julia Stiles may be forever linked to the dance floor because of “Save the Last Dance,” but she wants “Dancing with the Stars” viewers to know her 2001 movie role doesn’t make her a trained dancer. Her filmography actually runs far beyond that one dance-heavy role, including a lesser-known Hallmark credit: she starred opposite David Walton in the network’s 2013 Hallmark Hall of Fame romantic comedy “The Makeover,” playing Harvard-educated professor Hannah Higgins. Now, at 45, Stiles is addressing some long-running assumptions about her dance background head-on.
Julia Stiles Clears Up Her ‘Save the Last Dance’ Experience
In a TikTok video with professional partner Ezra Sosa ahead of their Season 35 debut, the actress clarified that she never attended Juilliard and that some of the movie’s more demanding choreography was actually handled by a body double.
The Juilliard connection comes from Julia’s character, Sara Johnson, an aspiring ballerina at the center of “Save the Last Dance.”
Julia and Ezra also acknowledged that a “body double” stepped in for much of the movie’s more complicated dancing. Julia has not danced regularly since making the film, but the pair declared they are “ready to SLAY ON DWTS.”
The clarification comes 25 years after “Save the Last Dance” became one of Julia’s best-known films.
Julia Stiles Previously Revealed How Hard She Trained
That does not mean Julia skipped the work when preparing to play Sara. During a 2021 appearance on “Today,” she recalled how much effort went into making her performance convincing.
She said she had to work extremely hard to “catch up to the level that Sara — or, at least, look like I could catch up to — I could be at the level that Sara was supposed to be at.”
DisneyJulia’s credits also include “10 Things I Hate About You,” the “Bourne” franchise, “Dexter,” “Hustlers,” and “Silver Linings Playbook.” She made her feature directorial debut with “Wish You Were Here” in 2025.
Who Is Competing on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 35?
Julia and Ezra will have plenty of competition when the new season begins. ABC announced the full celebrity cast on “Good Morning America” on Wednesday, September 2.
Joining Julia are Jenna Dewan, Tatyana Ali, Taylor Hanson, Ezra Frech, Amber Glenn, Connor Wood, Sarah Jane Nader, Tyler Cameron, Giada De Laurentiis, Harry Shum Jr., Conner Leavitt, Guillermo Rodriguez, Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller and Jackson Olson.
The lineup includes several stars with substantial dance experience. Jenna previously worked as a backup dancer before starring in “Step Up,” while Harry danced professionally before becoming known for “Glee.”
When Does ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 35 Premiere?
“Dancing with the Stars” returns with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. Episodes will stream the following day on Hulu.
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as hosts, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli are back at the judges’ table.
