Julia Stiles made it through her second week on Dancing With the Stars, but the judges’ response to her tango left her in tears once she returned backstage.
Stiles and professional partner Ezra Sosa received 16 out of 30 for their Sept. 22 Viral Hits Night performance, two points below the 18 they earned for their season-opening quickstep. Bruno Tonioli pointed to several stumbles, while Carrie Ann Inaba praised Stiles’ posture but felt some of that control was turning into stiffness.
After leaving the ballroom, Stiles returned to her trailer and had what she later called a “big old cry fest.” Sosa stayed with her while she processed the criticism and disappointment, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Stiles said the emotional reaction came after entering the night feeling more confident than she had during the premiere. Performing live quickly showed her how different a routine could feel once rehearsal ended and the judges were watching.
Ezra Sosa Stayed With Stiles After She Broke Down Backstage
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Stiles credited Sosa with helping her through the aftermath of the score rather than immediately pushing her to move on from it.
She told USA TODAY that he sat with her “patiently and sympathetically” while she cried in her trailer.
Sosa described Stiles as a perfectionist and said mistakes were inevitable on a competition that requires celebrities to learn a new routine each week and perform it live.
“What matters is how we get back up,” he said, adding that his focus was already on returning to rehearsal and preparing for the next dance.
Despite the difficult night, Stiles called her experience on the series “incredible” and said working alongside the professional dancers had deepened her appreciation for their skill and preparation.
The Judges Wanted Stiles to Relax More Into the Tango
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Stiles and Sosa performed a tango to Teddy Swims’ “The Door,” giving her a very different technical challenge from the Dolly Parton quickstep she danced during the premiere.
Tonioli praised the character she brought to the routine and compared her presence to Sharon Stone, but said several stumbles interrupted the flow of the dance.
Inaba complimented Stiles’ strong posture while encouraging her to loosen some of the control that occasionally made the performance look stiff.
Derek Hough awarded the pair a 6, while Inaba and Tonioli each gave them a 5, bringing the total to 16 out of 30. Stiles and Sosa were later announced safe.
Julianne Hough also showed support after the broadcast, commenting beneath an E! News Instagram interview with Stiles, “You are divine,” along with a red heart.
Stiles Says She Is Learning Not to Shut Down When She Is Criticized
Stiles had already discussed how uncomfortable it can be for her to perform while knowing she is being evaluated. During the episode, she described Dancing With the Stars as an opportunity to become more comfortable with that kind of scrutiny instead of withdrawing from it.
She has also spoken about the expectations surrounding her dancing after Save the Last Dance and how criticism of her performances affected her in the past.
After the tango, Stiles said she was trying to resist her instinct to close herself off when something did not go the way she hoped.
She and Sosa survived Viral Hits Night and will return for Week 3, when the remaining couples compete on Yacht Rock Night.