Julia Stiles made a triumphant return to the spotlight as she debuted on the latest season of *Dancing with the Stars*, where she performed a lively quickstep to Dolly Parton’s iconic song “9 to 5.” Taking to the dance floor on September 16, Stiles expressed her deep sense of honour as she revealed that Parton had personally approved the use of the song weeks before her passing on August 25 at the age of 80.
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In a heartfelt moment during her rehearsal segment, the 45-year-old actress shared the significance of dancing to the beloved anthem. “It was only a couple of weeks before Dolly passed that she approved this song specifically for me,” Stiles explained. “I’m so honoured to be dancing to her music and honouring her legacy, and I want to make her proud.” The sentiment resonated strongly with the live audience, who responded with an enthusiastic standing ovation after her performance alongside partner Ezra Sosa.
Co-host Julianne Hough engaged Stiles in a discussion after her performance about the emotional weight of dancing to Parton’s song. According to Stiles, “It was the first song we talked about. I wanted it so badly.” The actress joyfully reflected on her surprise that Parton had cleared the song: “We didn’t know what was going to happen. She cleared it, and I just feel so honoured, like, to honour Dolly. She’s such a powerhouse.”
Stiles chose “9 to 5” not just for its upbeat tempo but also because it holds personal significance—being a number one hit released in 1981, the same year she was born. During an earlier appearance on the *Dancing with the Stars* podcast, she noted, “I lucked out because I get to dance to ‘9 to 5’ by Dolly Parton.” Even before Parton’s death, Stiles had been eager to showcase the legendary song, saying, “We had no idea. And now I’m just, like, so honoured to dance to her music.”
Throughout her career, Stiles has been aware of the criticism surrounding her dancing, especially following her role in the film *Save the Last Dance.* Recently, Andy Cohen made light of her dancing abilities on his SiriusXM show, prompting fellow actress Kerry Washington to leap to Stiles’ defence, asking why people felt compelled to criticise her now.
The judges were effusive in their praise following Stiles’ performance. Judge Derek Hough complimented her, urging her to “take off the hand brake,” suggesting she ought to unleash more energy in her movements. He jokingly referenced Cohen’s previous comments, asserting, “Andy Cohen, you can eat it.” Meanwhile, judge Bruno Tonioli highlighted Stiles’ seamless blend of acting and dancing skills, acknowledging her as both a great actor and dancer. Carrie Ann Inaba also commended the routine as “really clean,” remarking on Stiles’ radiant presence on stage.
After her dance, Stiles expressed her exhilaration at performing live, remarking, “Oh my God, it’s so exhilarating. I am a super fan, and this guy has pulled me out of my shell in, like, the most amazing way.” Partner Ezra Sosa reflected on their pairing, describing his initial shock at being matched with Stiles: “I just feel so lucky not just to be able to dance with her, but to get to see someone live their dreams. It is so special.”
At the end of the night, Stiles and Sosa earned a respectable score of 18 out of 30, receiving three scores of 6 from judges Inaba, Hough, and Tonioli. As the season progresses, viewers can continue to tune in to new episodes of *Dancing with the Stars*, airing weekly on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Hulu.
Stiles’ journey is both a tribute to the trailblazing spirit of Dolly Parton and a testament to her own passion for dance, encapsulating a moment that will surely resonate with fans of both the actress and the music legend.