Julia Stiles is one of the most recognizable names in the Dancing with the Stars season 35 cast, bringing a film career that began in her teens and a genuine dance background to the ABC ballroom. Best known for Save the Last Dance and 10 Things I Hate About You, she joined the 2026 season with professional partner Ezra Sosa and quickly became a talking point for viewers who grew up with her films. Her run has mixed steady ballroom progress with memorable theme-night moments, including a Dedication Night tribute that connected her present dancing to her early screen career.
| Full Name | Julia O’Hara Stiles |
| Known For | Save the Last Dance; 10 Things I Hate About You; Dancing with the Stars season 35 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 45 |
| Date of Birth | March 28, 1981 |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, United States |
| Occupation | Actress and director |
| Partner | Preston Cook (married since 2017) |
| Dancing with the Stars partner | Ezra Sosa |
Who Is Julia Stiles?
Julia Stiles is an American actress and director whose breakthrough came as a teenager in the late 1990s. She became widely known for playing Kat Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You in 1999 and Sara Johnson in Save the Last Dance in 2001, a film in which dance was central to the story. She later built a long screen career across film and television, including the Bourne films, Mona Lisa Smile, Dexter and Riviera. In 2026 she returned to a dance-centred spotlight as a celebrity contestant on Dancing with the Stars season 35, partnered with Ezra Sosa. Her casting appealed both to longtime film fans and to viewers curious to see how her early dance training would translate to competitive ballroom.
Early Life & Background
Julia Stiles was born in New York City on March 28, 1981, and grew up in a creative household: her mother was a potter and her father worked in elementary education. She began acting as a child, appearing with New York’s La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, and she also studied dance from a young age. That early stage experience gave her a disciplined, performance-based grounding long before Hollywood. She attended Columbia University, graduating with a degree in English literature in 2005, while continuing to work as an actress. The combination of theatre, dance training and formal study shaped the poised, hard-working public image that has followed her through much of her career.
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Journey
Stiles joined Dancing with the Stars season 35, which premiered on ABC and Disney+ on September 15, 2026, partnered with Ezra Sosa. She opened with a quickstep to Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5, scoring 18, then danced a tango, a salsa and a Viennese waltz through the opening weeks. Her scores climbed on Mariah Carey Night and Super Bowl Night, where her jazz routine earned 33 out of 40. On Dedication Night she performed a contemporary routine dedicated to her late 10 Things I Hate About You co-star Heath Ledger, joined at the end by several of her co-stars from that film. She then danced an Argentine tango on Horror Movie Night. As of October 31, 2026, she was still competing, heading into Disney Night with a paso doble from Hamilton.
Career
Stiles has worked steadily since her teenage breakthrough, moving between independent film, studio pictures, television and theatre. After 10 Things I Hate About You and Save the Last Dance, she appeared in films including Hamlet, The Business of Strangers, Mona Lisa Smile and the Bourne series as Nicky Parsons. On television she earned wide attention as Lumen Pierce in Dexter and later starred in the thriller series Riviera. She has also directed, making her feature directorial debut with Wish You Were Here, released in 2025. That long, varied career is why her Dancing with the Stars casting felt different from a typical reality-television signing: she arrived as an established screen actress revisiting dance, rather than as a newcomer seeking a first audience.
Facts About Julia Stiles
- Julia Stiles was born in New York City on March 28, 1981.
- She starred in Save the Last Dance in 2001, a film built around dance.
- She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in English literature in 2005.
- On Dancing with the Stars season 35 she is partnered with Ezra Sosa.
- Her Dedication Night routine was dedicated to her late co-star Heath Ledger.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Julia Stiles?
Julia Stiles is 45 years old as of 2026. She was born on March 28, 1981.
How tall is Julia Stiles?
Julia Stiles is 5 feet 8 inches tall (1.73 m).
Who is Julia Stiles married to?
Julia Stiles has been married to Preston Cook since 2017.
Who is Julia Stiles partnered with on Dancing with the Stars?
Julia Stiles is partnered with professional dancer Ezra Sosa on Dancing with the Stars season 35.
Is Julia Stiles still on Dancing with the Stars in 2026?
Yes. As of October 31, 2026, Julia Stiles was still competing in Dancing with the Stars season 35.
See the full Dancing with the Stars 2026 Cast hub.