'DWTS' – Julia Stiles taps 'Save the Last Dance' star Sean Patrick Thomas

Sameen Chaudhry, USA TODAYWed, October 14, 2026 at 1:51 PM UTC

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Julia Stiles revisited her "Save the Last Dance" moves on "Dancing with the Stars" as former costar Sean Patrick Thomas cheered for her.

Julia Stiles had a familiar face cheering her on as she returned to her "Save the Last Dance" roots.

The actress, 45, and dance partner Ezra Sosa incorporated moves from the iconic 2001 movie into their jazz routine during the Oct. 13 episode of "Dancing with the Stars." Her former costar Sean Patrick Thomas was in the audience cheering her on for the performance.

The pair danced to Jennifer Lopez's "Jenny From the Block," featuring Jadakiss and Styles P, for "Super Bowl Night," which featured music associated with past halftime performers. For Stiles, the routine also offered a chance to revisit a movie released 25 years ago.

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Thomas said he was "over the moon" to be at the show and that Stiles "brought it all the way back here tonight" in an Instagram video⁠.

In the 2001 film⁠, Stiles played Sara Johnson, an aspiring ballerina who moves to Chicago after her mother's death. Thomas played Derek Reynolds, her love interest in the movie.

"I'd been wanting to do that for 25 years," Stiles said after the routine.

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The judges rewarded Stiles and Sosa with 33 out of 40 points. Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli each awarded them an 8, while guest judge and "Monday Night Football" broadcaster Joe Buck gave them a 9.

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The praise followed a difficult earlier week for Stiles, who told USA TODAY she was discouraged⁠ after earning 16 out of 30 for a tango to Teddy Swims' "The Door" during "Viral Hits Night."

"I literally just had a big old cry-fest in my trailer, and he was sitting there with me patiently and sympathetically," she said of Sosa.

Stiles began her season with a Sept. 16 quickstep to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5," earning 18 out of 30. Stiles said Parton had personally approved the song for her weeks before the singer's death.

Stiles and Sosa advanced through "Super Bowl Night" continuing their pursuit of the Mirrorball Trophy. Guillermo Rodriguez and his dance partner Witney Carson were eliminated from "Dancing with the Stars" at the end of the show.

Contributing: Liza Esquibias, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'DWTS' – Julia Stiles taps 'Save the Last Dance' star Sean Patrick Thomas

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