Julia Stiles Is Taking Her 'Save The Last Dance' Energy To 'Dancing With The Stars'

It has been a minute since Julia Stiles taught an entire generation how to blend hip-hop rhythm with classical ballet techniques. Now, the Y2K screen idol is bringing her rhythm back into the spotlight as she prepares to tackle a brand-new challenge on *Dancing With the Stars*. Taking on a live ballroom competition is no easy feat, even for someone who played one of the most memorable teen dancers in cinema history. However, reports indicate that the actress did not make the decision to take on the reality series completely on her own—she had a massive push from her family.

Watch

Clips tied to this story.

▶Watch on YouTube

▶Watch on YouTube

▶Watch on YouTube

According to reports, Stiles credited her family for playing a crucial role in her decision to join the cast. Making the leap into competitive ballroom dancing requires intense commitment, but having strong support at home gave her the confidence to step back into the spotlight. While Stiles is no stranger to learning intricate choreography, competing in front of a live television audience presents an entirely different set of rules. Masterful ballroom routines demand sharp precision and physical endurance that contrast heavily with rehearsing on a traditional movie set.

BUZZBEAT

This new chapter comes roughly 25 years after Stiles captured pop-culture history with her famous Juilliard audition sequence in *Save the Last Dance*. That performance helped turn the film into an instant teen classic and established Stiles as a major star of the era. Now, the actress is shifting gears into a totally fresh dancing discipline. Guided by her family's encouragement and her own performance roots, Stiles is ready to see if those famous moves translate to the iconic ballroom floor.