In a candid interview this week, actress Julia Stiles opens up about her journey on the popular ABC show, Dancing with the Stars, offering insights into her decision to join the competition and her reflections on a lifelong passion for dance that had been overshadowed by self-doubt.
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Stiles, well-known for her breakout role in the 1999 romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You, found herself confronting the insecurities that have lingered since her early career. A particularly defining moment was her performance in the 2001 film Save the Last Dance, where her character’s struggles and ultimately triumphant audition became a memorable part of her legacy. However, the years that followed saw Stiles retreat from dance after feeling overwhelmed by scrutiny and fearing comparisons to her onscreen character.
Now, at the age of 45 and a mother of three, Stiles appears ready to embrace the stage once more. “I stopped taking dance classes after that movie,” she recalled in a Zoom interview. “I was way too self-conscious about the whole thing. I completely wilted.” Her decision to participate in Dancing with the Stars marks not only a return to performing but also a significant step towards reclaiming her confidence.
In her first appearances on the show, Stiles has expressed a mixture of nerves and excitement, stating, “I refuse to wilt this time.” She hopes that competing will allow her to rediscover her love for performing. “I love dancing at home in my living room, but doing that in front of an audience and sharing my inner world comfortably is where I’m hoping to grow,” she says.
This opportunity comes after years of the producers of Dancing with the Stars reaching out to her, appealing to Stiles after they learned of her fandom for the show. Despite practical considerations involving her family and fears of vulnerability, she was encouraged by her husband, Preston J. Cook, to embrace the challenge. “When the producers reached out again, I shared my fears with my husband and he said, ‘We’ll figure it out. You’ve got to do it,’” recalls Stiles, clearly appreciative of his support.
Balancing family and performance is no small feat. With children aged 9, 4, and 3, Stiles acknowledges the commitment this competition demands. Meanwhile, Cook manages household responsibilities, which include planning for birthdays while Stiles travels between Los Angeles and New York for rehearsals. “It’s just such a crazy schedule,” admits the actress, who is determined to make it all work despite the pressures.
While training, Stiles has faced not only the challenges of learning choreography but also physical obstacles, including a recent rib injury. “I’m pushing myself mentally and physically,” she says, adding that self-care has become essential amid the whirlwind. She has developed a fondness for Epsom salt baths to help soothe the physical demands of her performances.
Stiles acknowledges her in-built tendencies toward panic and self-doubt but shares her strategies for overcoming those moments. “My brain has been my worst enemy. There are moments when I can go into panic mode, like, ‘I’m just going to bail,’ but I constantly remind myself to trust in the process,” she explains.
Reflecting on the roles she considers her best, Stiles shares that the characters where her inner world resonates most strongly are those she takes the most pride in. This idea extends to her current experience on Dancing with the Stars: “I want to be able to look back on this and be proud of what I’ve done and what I’ve overcome,” she says emphatically.
In navigating this personal journey, Stiles has found motivation in mantras. One particular phrase from the film A League of Their Own stands out for her: “There’s no crying in baseball. There’s no crying in ballroom!” This philosophy encapsulates her determination to face the challenges head on and leave her self-doubt behind.
Dancing with the Stars, featuring Julia Stiles, airs live on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu the following day. As Stiles takes the stage, audiences are given a front-row seat to her journey of rediscovery and resilience.