Television host Andy Cohen has officially cleared the air with actress Julia Stiles after she confronted him over past disparaging remarks about her dancing skills. During the season 35 premiere of Dancing With the Stars, Stiles referenced a viral 2025 clip where Cohen famously questioned whether everyone could agree that she was not the greatest dancer on the planet. The quote, which famously stems from her iconic role in the 2000 film Save the Last Dance, was played for the audience before Stiles and her partner Ezra Sosa performed a quickstep to Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5. The performance earned them 18 out of 30 points, prompting judge Derek Hough to fire back at Cohen by telling him to eat it.
Taking the critique in stride, Cohen addressed the situation on the September 16 episode of Watch What Happens Live. He jokingly named himself the show’s Jackhole of the Day and offered a sincere apology to the actress. Admitting he is the last person qualified to judge anyone’s dance moves, Cohen shared a self-deprecating video of himself dancing poorly at a concert before praising Stiles for her stellar performance on the show. He even invited fans to flood his inbox with the ten things they hate about him, a playful nod to her classic film 10 Things I Hate About You.
Beyond the drama with Cohen, Stiles’ appearance on the show carried emotional weight. The actress revealed that she received personal approval from Dolly Parton to use 9 to 5 just weeks before the country legend passed away on August 25. Stiles expressed how honored she felt to dance to the song and pay tribute to Parton’s legacy. Competing alongside professional partner Ezra Sosa, Stiles described her time on the dance competition as an exhilarating experience, noting that Sosa has been instrumental in helping her step out of her shell as she continues her run on the show.