Julia Stiles Reveals Her Family’s Role in DWTS Journey

Julia Stiles Reveals Husband, Kids’ Reaction to DWTS CastingJulia Stiles has already proven her dancing chops. But 25 years after acing her Julliard audition in Save the Last Dance, she’s pirouetting into a new style. And as she prepares to step into the Dancing With the Stars ballroom alongside pro partner Ezra Sosa, she knows she’ll have millions of eyes on her. Right now, though, her husband Preston Cook and their three children, Strummer, 8, Arlo, 4, and a baby they welcomed in 2023 are her first audience members. “They see me dance every day and every night in my kitchen and in the living room,” Stiles exclusively told E! News of her children after casting for DWTS’ season 35 was announced Sept. 2. “They’re like, ‘Oh there goes Mommy again.’” In fact, her kids have even become dance partners—whether willing or unwilling, she didn’t say—by proxy when Sosa isn’t around. “Sometimes I pick them up and I’m actually practicing the dance holding them,” the Bourne alum added. “And my husband will just stand there and I kind of twirl around him.”But while her family is getting a sneak peek at what she has in store, the 45-year-old conceded that the onscreen result “in the outfits and the heels and in that ballroom” will soar beyond that of her at-home spinning.Disney/Andrew EcclesAs she added, “It’s pretty special.” Yet, despite Stiles’ experience dancing onscreen as Sara in Save the Last Dance, she admitted DWTS comes with its own set of challenges. “That’s the crazy thing,” she said. “This is the first time I’m not hiding behind a character, or like a script. This is me. It’s not Sarah, it’s not any of the other characters I’ve played. It’s just Julia.” “But,” she affirmed, “I am ready.” And Sosa is thrilled he’s been chosen as the 10 Things I Hate About You star’s partner. “I feel so lucky,” he said. “The moment she walked in the door I literally could not even believe that she signed on to do this show. But just the fact that she is such a fan of the show makes it that much more special, and I just feel so lucky.” Plus, if he and Stiles get far enough into the competition, he teased that fans may get to see some resurrected dance moves from Save the Last Dance.But, the 25-year-old warned, “You’re going to have to vote. You think we’re just going to whip it out week one? That’s cute.” For more on this season’s Dancing With the Stars celebrity-pro pairings, read on. 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