Juilliard Apologizes to Julia Stiles Over Dancing With the Stars Shade

Juilliard Apologizes to Julia Stiles Over ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Shade—With Gift That’s Truly on PointJulia 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 ImagesAs 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.Disney/Andrew EcclesJulia Stiles & Ezra SosaYou won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.Disney/Andrew EcclesGiada De Laurentiis & Alan BerstenCha-cha-chopping away... The celebrity chef will be turning up the heat this season.Disney/Andrew EcclesHarry Shum Jr. & Jenna JohnsonWhat did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.Disney/Andrew EcclesTaylor Hanson & Britt StewartThe former '90s teen heartthrob will hope to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35.Disney/Andrew EcclesTatyana Ali & Jan RavnikThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.Disney/Andrew EcclesJenna Dewan & Val ChmerkovskiyTwenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.Disney/Andrew EcclesAmber Glenn & Pasha PashkovThe 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.Disney/Andrew EcclesEzra Frech & Daniella KaragachThe Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.Disney/Andrew EcclesSarah Jane Nader & Hailey BillsAfter sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star is trying her hand. Disney/Andrew EcclesConnor Wood & Rylee ArnoldThe comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.Disney/Andrew EcclesConner Leavitt & Adele ZaikmanThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following in the footsteps of wife Whitney Leavitt—who competed on season 34.Disney/Andrew EcclesTyler Cameron & Sharna BurgessThe Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.Disney/Andrew EcclesJackson Olson & Emma SlaterThe Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.Disney/Andrew EcclesGuillermo Rodriguez & Witney CarsonThe Jimmy Kimmel Live! star is ready to learn some new moves.Disney/Andrew EcclesCiara Miller & Brandon ArmstrongThe 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."Disney/Andrew EcclesMaura Higgins & Mark BallasThe 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."For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App