Julia Stiles Debuts On 'Dancing With The Stars' To Dolly Parton's 'Nine To Five'
Julia Stiles made her Dancing With the Stars Season 35 debut Wednesday night on ABC — dancing a quickstep with pro partner Ezra Sosa to Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 and receiving a standing ovation from the audience. Then she shared the detail that made the whole thing hit differently.
"A couple weeks before Dolly passed, she approved this song, specifically for me," Stiles told the audience. "I'm so honored to be dancing to her music and honoring her legacy. I wanna make her proud."
Stiles was born in March 1981, the year 9 to 5 topped the charts. The song was the first one producers suggested and she said yes immediately.
The song clearance came through before Parton's August 25 death. Neither Stiles nor the producers knew what was coming. "We had no idea," Stiles said. "And now I'm just, like, so honored to dance to her music."
Derek Hough gave her a standing ovation from the judges' table. "That was beautiful, graceful. You are absolutely beaming," he said.
The 45-year-old actress, known for 10 Things I Hate About You and Save the Last Dance, had turned down DWTS invitations for years. Her husband finally convinced her this was the time.
