Julia Stiles Addresses Dancing With the Stars Experience Rumors

Stiles, partnered with professional dancer Ezra Sosa, took to TikTok on September 6 to address the speculation directly. Through a Yep/Nope challenge, she clarified that she never attended The Juilliard School, unlike her character Sara Johnson. She further debunked the notion of a professional background, noting that she relied on a body double for the film’s more intricate choreography and has not pursued formal dance training in the two decades since the movie’s release.

The actress previously explained to Today that her casting in Save the Last Dance was actually born from a scene in 10 Things I Hate About You, where director Thomas Carter spotted her dancing to The Notorious B.I.G. Despite the acclaim that followed the film, Stiles maintains that her lack of experience is a genuine hurdle. She told Entertainment Weekly that the rigorous rehearsals for the movie were a challenge she had to overcome through constant catch-up, and she views her current lack of formal training as a disadvantage rather than a leg up. With the season premiere set for September 15, Stiles is focused on regaining her confidence, supported by former co-stars Kerry Washington and Sean Patrick Thomas.