Julia Stiles made her debut on “Dancing with the Stars” with fans wondering if she would incorporate elements from the movie “Save The Last Dance.” The anticipation was met in Week 5 when she and her former co-star paid tribute to the 2001 film.
During the live show themed around the Super Bowl, Stiles and her partner, Ezra Sosa, delivered a hip-hop ballet routine set to Jennifer Lopez’s “Jenny from the Block.” The performance was a throwback to Stiles’ role in “Save The Last Dance,” where she portrayed Sara Johnson, a ballet dancer with dreams of attending Juilliard, who falls in love with a hip-hop dancer, Derek Reynolds, played by Sean Patrick Thomas.
In a standout moment during the routine, Sosa stepped back, allowing Stiles to showcase the iconic choreography from the film. The camera captured Thomas on the sidelines, mirroring another memorable scene from the movie, adding to the nostalgia of the performance.
After the dance, Stiles expressed her excitement to co-host Julianne Hough, revealing that it was a dream come true after 25 years. The audience erupted in cheers, signaling their approval of the homage.
The routine received high praise from the judges, earning Stiles and Sosa their first 8s and 9s of the season, securing their safety from elimination. Social media buzzed with reactions from fans and celebrities, including a shoutout from Jennifer Lopez herself.
While the performance garnered widespread acclaim, some fans raised concerns about perceived favoritism towards Stiles and Sosa compared to other contestants. Criticisms were voiced regarding the judges’ treatment of different dance styles and content among the competitors.