It’s been more than 25 years since “Save the Last Dance” was released, but it’s back in the headlines after last night’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
The 2001 movie turned Julia Stiles into an instant star and in honor of the anniversary, the actor recreated the movie’s most iconic scene on this week’s episode of the dance competition.
The latest episode, titled “Super Bowl Night,” featured Stiles performing with her pro partner, Ezra Sosa, in a high-energy jazz routine set to Jennifer Lopez’s hit “Jenny From the Block.”
With a long braid and cropped top, Stiles paid tribute to the final scene of the movie in which her character auditions in front of a panel of judges at Julliard.
If you need a refresher, the Thomas Carter-directed film follows promising ballerina Sarah Johnson (Stiles), whose future is suddenly derailed after her mother dies in a car accident.
In the aftermath, Sarah must leave her home in upstate Illinois and move in with her father who lives in Chicago’s South Side. While rebuilding her life, Sarah meets Derek Reynolds (Sean Patrick Thomas), who introduces her to hip-hop and the two fall in love.
In the movie’s final scene, Sarah auditions for a coveted spot at Juilliard and combines ballet and hip-hop in what’s become a legendary dance routine.
In the years since the movie’s release, Stiles has gone on to appear in a variety of film and TV hits including the “Bourne Identity” franchise, as well as acclaimed TV series’ such as “Dexter” and “Riviera.”
But the actor came full circle on the most recent episode of “Dancing of the Stars,” when she recreated the 2001 dance routine, right down to the folding chair her character used in “Save the Last Dance.”
The performance received high marks from the judges, including Bruno Tonioli who raved that Stiles, 45, got into the groove “brilliantly.”
“I didn’t know how good you were at hip-hop,” gushed Tonioli before continuing, “I loved the tribute to your own hit, of course, but the whole routine, not just the dancing, the interpretation, the construction, the way you play the character, your best one so far.”
She ultimately got a 33 out of 40, tying with Maura Higgins and partner Mark Ballas and Harry Shum Jr. and partner Jenna Johnson, who got the same scores.
Also enjoying the performance was Thomas, Stiles former co-star, who watched from the audience and said he was “over the moon” watching Stiles “do her thing.”
In a nod to the movie, Thomas stood in the background of Stiles’ “DWTS” routine, holding his jacket over his shoulder, just like his character does during the “Save the Last Dance” audition.
“We had a great time doing ‘Save the Last Dance’ back in the day and she brought it all the way back here tonight,” praised Thomas.
Stiles was recently in the headlines after responding to criticism from Andy Cohen, who remarked during a 2025 episode of his radio show “Andy Cohen Live” that Stiles wasn’t “the greatest dancer on the planet.”
During the premiere episode of “Dancing With the Stars,” Stiles referenced Cohen’s dig by saying she wanted to win the competition, then “go sit on Andy’s couch.”
After her inaugural performance, judge Derek Hough defended Stiles’ ability by saying Cohen could “eat it.”
Calling himself a “Jackhole,” Cohen then offered a mea culpa on “Watch What Happens Live,” apologizing to Stiles and saying that he was “the last person who should be giving anyone feedback on their dancing,” before saying the actor gave an “amazing” performance and that she “killed it.”
Stiles also made news after it was announced in September she would be a contestant on the dance competition with some fans confusing her 2001 on-screen Juilliard audition with real-life and suggesting the actor had an advantage over the other contestants due to her Juilliard experience.
The music school then waded into the fray with a post on Instagram that said, “No, Julia Stiles did not, in fact, attend Juilliard. But we love her anyway. You can see — actual — Juilliard dancers (and musicians and actors) on Opening Night of the Juilliard Fall Festival.”
While some felt the post shaded the actor, others considered it a light-hearted, cheeky response to the controversy.
Stiles, however, simply replied to Juilliard’s comments by saying, “Oh my goodness! Thank you! Best of luck to your amazing students.”
