Julia Stiles made a notable appearance on “Dancing with the Stars,” sparking speculation about a potential nod to the film “Save The Last Dance.” In Week 5, Stiles indeed brought elements of the 2001 movie to the dance floor, with a special guest appearance by her former co-star. During the live show themed around the Super Bowl, Stiles and her dance partner, Ezra Sosa, delivered a hip-hop ballet routine set to Jennifer Lopez’s “Jenny from the Block.”

The performance paid tribute to Stiles’ role as Sara Johnson in “Save The Last Dance,” where she portrayed a ballet dancer pursuing her dreams of attending Juilliard and falling in love with a hip-hop dancer played by Sean Patrick Thomas. In a standout moment, Sosa stepped back to allow Stiles to showcase the iconic choreography from the film, while Thomas recreated a classic scene on the sidelines, adding to the nostalgic atmosphere.

Following the performance, Stiles expressed her long-standing desire to revisit the routine, which resonated well with the audience, resulting in positive feedback and cheers. The judges were impressed, awarding the duo their highest scores of the season, ensuring their safety from elimination.

Social media buzzed with reactions from fans and celebrities, including a supportive comment from Jennifer Lopez herself. Despite the enthusiastic response, some viewers raised concerns about perceived favoritism towards Stiles and Sosa, pointing out disparities in feedback compared to other contestants. The debate over judging criteria and fairness in critiques continues among the show’s followers.