Julia Stiles broke down in tears during Dancing with the Stars rehearsals while addressing low scores from her tango and revealing a painful rib injury sustained ahead of Yacht Rock Night on the ABC and Disney+ competition series.
Julia Stiles Reflects on Fame and Reclaiming Her Relationship With Performing
The intense pressure of the ballroom hit home for Julia Stiles during a pre-recorded rehearsal package that aired ahead of her Tuesday night routine. Reflecting on her previous week’s tango set to “Doorby Teddy Swims for
Viral Hits Night” on Tuesday, Sept. 22, the actress made no secret of her disappointment. Partnered with professional dancer Ezra Sosa, Stiles earned a total score of 16 out of 30 after receiving two 5s and a 6 from the judging panel, featuring Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli.
Julia Stiles, 45, opened up about what the song means to her in the package from the pair’s rehearsal week. My personal connection to the lyrics is that I've had a funny relationship with being in the public eye,
Stiles said. Stiles marked her breakthrough as Kat Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You at just 17 years old. Beginning her career at an early age, the star said she was “intoxicated” by fame. But it also scared me, and I kind of ran in the other direction,
she said. So I'm reclaiming my relationship with people watching me.
Speaking to PEOPLE after the show, Stiles expanded on how being on DWTS has helped her rediscover her relationship with performing. My whole point in coming on the show is to find the confidence in performing again,
Stiles told PEOPLE. Dancing with the Stars is helping Julia Stiles fall in love with performing all over again.
Stiles noted that adjusting to the competition required a distinct mental shift from her decades in film. While chatting with Sosa, Stiles explained how different this experience has been for her versus acting. I’m an actress,
she said. I’m used to having a script. The director and the editor protect you, and your performance is done before people see it. But this is just me. Very vulnerable.
Sosa responded by saying he’s “so proudof Stiles for opening up and vowed to
keep pushing through it together.”
It’s all fun and games until you get a 5. And I respect those judges a lot, so I take what they say seriously. So, yeah, here I am — in tears on TV. Sorry! Reflecting
Rehearsal Setbacks and a Popped Rib Injury
Ezra Sosa and Julia Stiles Prepare Salsa for Yacht Rock Night Despite Pain
Physical pain compounded the emotional toll during preparations for Yacht Rock Night. Julia Stiles is competing on Dancing With the Stars through a painful setback. The actress revealed on the Sept. 29 episode that she and her partner, Ezra Sosa, “kind of popped” her rib while preparing their salsa for Yacht Rock Night. Despite the injury, she delivered a performance that drew praise from all three judges.
Julia Stiles Dances Through a Popped Rib on Dancing With the Stars. The Save the Last Dance star opened up about the injury in a pre-taped segment ahead of her routine, which was set to Hall & Oates’ I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do).
She admitted the pressure of the competition was weighing on her as she danced through the pain.
Julia Stiles Tells Ezra Sosa They Will Take It Day by Day
In the segment, Stiles explained that her rib had popped during rehearsals and that the pain was significant. My rib really hurts and we kind of popped it,
she said. This is a really tough week to hurt your rib.
Fighting back tears, she told Sosa it was just not my day
and that the couple would likely have to drop the lifts and tricks from the routine. No lifts for today. I think we take it day by day,
she said.
The 45-year-old made clear she had no intention of holding back anyway. I also know that I’m a tough cookie, and I’m not going to let it stop me,
Stiles said. She added that she was trying to keep herself above water while waltzing through the pain.
Judges Praise the Salsa Routine on Yacht Rock Night
When evaluation time arrived in the ballroom, Stiles and Ezra Sosa improved their score during Yacht Rock Night. Overcoming a painful rib injury and low scores during Tuesday night’s episode of Dancing With the Stars, the actress earned higher marks from judges following a difficult week of rehearsals.