Juilliard Apologizes to Julia Stiles Over Dancing With the Stars Shade
DWTS' Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa React to Juilliard's "Shady" Post About Her (Exclusive)
Julia Stiles is officially a Juilliard graduate—well, sort of.
After the Dancing With the Stars contestant called out the school's statement that she never was a student there—despite playing one in 2001's Save the Last Dance—during an exclusive E! interview, the prestigious conservatory followed up with a hilarious change of heart.
"Dear Julia, with our apologies for the clerical error, your alumni file was found under the name Sarah Johnson," Stiles read from Juilliard's note to her and pro Ezra Sosa in a Sept. 17 TikTok video. "We are so proud of you and cheering you and Ezra on."
And the school—which first posted ahead of the DWTS season 35 premiere, "No, Julia Stiles did not, in fact, attend Juilliard"—couldn't help but call back to her and costar Sean Patrick Thomas' memorable exchange in the film when welcoming Stiles into the family.
"Remember, Dancing With the Stars ain't no square dance," she continued narrating their message, "but we know you'll dance circles, probably, around everyone else."
Aside from the cheeky letter, Stiles' "fans here at Juilliard" also sent her and Sosa official alumni gear, a move she gushed was "so sweet." Indeed, the actress may have been most excited about receiving an alumni T-shirt, referencing her signature '90s style when she said, "They know I love a crop top."
The dance academy also noted that there was "no shade intended" when it came to their original Sept. 3 post about Stiles' status as a classically trained ballerina who learned hip-hop, as they clarified it was her Save the Last Dance character and not the actress who enrolled there.
LISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty Images
As such, it's no surprise the Bourne trilogy actress was quick to confirm before signing off, "Never went to Juilliard, it's a fictional character, Sarah Johnson."
Though Stiles acing her Juilliard audition was a storyline, she has a real shot at taking home the Mirrorball Trophy this year. Keep reading to check out her competition on DWTS.
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Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa
You won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.
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Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten
Cha-cha-chopping away... The celebrity chef will be turning up the heat this season.
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Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson
What did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.
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Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart
The former '90s teen heartthrob will hope to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35.
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Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.
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Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy
Twenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.
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Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov
The 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.
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Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach
The Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.
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Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills
After sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star is trying her hand.
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Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold
The comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.
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Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following in the footsteps of wife Whitney Leavitt—who competed on season 34.
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Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess
The Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.
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Jackson Olson & Emma Slater
The Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.
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Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! star is ready to learn some new moves.
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Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong
The Summer House star is prepping for her turn in the ballrom.
"Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Ciara exclusively told E! News in June. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."
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Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas
The Love Island UK alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn't betray her as she manifested this experience.
"I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."
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