Julia Stiles made a memorable appearance on the show “Dancing with the Stars,” sparking curiosity among fans about a possible nod to the film “Save The Last Dance.” In Week 5, the anticipated moment arrived as Stiles, accompanied by a former co-star, incorporated elements from the iconic 2001 movie into her performance.
During the live show themed as Super Bowl night, Stiles and her dance partner, Ezra Sosa, delivered a captivating hip-hop ballet routine set to Jennifer Lopez’s “Jenny from the Block.” The performance paid homage to Stiles’ role in “Save The Last Dance” as Sara Johnson, a ballet dancer entwined in a love story with hip-hop dancer Derek Reynolds, portrayed by Sean Patrick Thomas.
In a standout moment of the routine, Sosa gracefully made way for Stiles to showcase her iconic choreography from the film. The camera captured Thomas on the sidelines, mirroring a classic scene from the movie, adding to the nostalgia of the performance.
Following the dance, Stiles expressed her long-held desire to recreate the moment, which resonated with the audience, leading to an uproar of cheers. The judges were equally impressed, awarding the duo their highest scores of the season and securing their safety from elimination.
The recreation of “Save The Last Dance” on the show garnered widespread attention on social media, with fans and celebrities, including J.Lo, praising the performance. While some lauded Stiles’ energy and dedication, others raised concerns about perceived favoritism towards her and Sosa, contrasting their feedback with that of other contestants like Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, who faced criticism for their routines.