During Tuesday’s Dedication Night, which sees the famous contestants paying homage to special people in their lives and careers, Julia performed a contemporary routine to Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, famously featured in one of the 1999 teen classic’s most iconic scenes.
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For her routine, Julia wore a blue dress similar to the one she wears in the film, with a matching 90s-style updo.
At the end of her routine with pro dancer Ezra Sosa, Julia was also joined by some of her 10 Things I Hate About You castmates, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Gabrielle Union.
Speaking to Variety after her performance, Julia explained: “I said, if we had to have someone with us on stage representing Heath’s legacy or the film, I said it had to be the whole cast. I begged them, each and every one of them, and they all rallied. They really did.”
In a pre-recorded clip played before her dance, Julia spoke about working with Heath on the beloved film, recalling: “I learned a lot from Heath. He was so authentic. I have so many great memories, but I’m also sad because I really wish that I could pick up the phone and be like, ‘Hey, dude. People really care about that movie. We did something special’.”
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“At 17 years old, I never would have thought that I’d be here at 45, celebrating my body, dancing on the show that I absolutely love and that fans are still interested in this movie and still moved and touched by this movie,” she added.
Julia told Variety that she was “bawling” during rehearsals listening to the song, which brought back “a ton of good memories”.
Meanwhile, in an interview with People, Julia admitted she was “actually surprised at how emotional” the rehearsals for the dance was.
“I know from watching the show how emotional Dedication Night is. It’s always very personal stories,” she told the US outlet. “But I thought, ‘Oh, I’m distanced enough from it. The movie was so many years ago’.”
“But something about watching clips from that movie – seeing our pictures, hearing our voices – is bringing up a lot,” she added, saying it “felt important to honour” the Brokeback Mountain star because “he lives on because his performance in that film was so incredible”.
The tribute dance comes 18 years after Heath died of an accidental overdose from combining sleeping pills with other prescription medications at the age of 28.
He was known for roles in films like A Knight’s Tale, Ned Kelly and The Brothers Grimm, and won a posthumous Academy Award for his portrayal of the Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight a year after his death.
10 Things I Hate About You remains a popular favourite, remaining among Letterboxd users’ favourite films of all time, with a sequel rumoured to be in the works.
