Julia Stiles Reveals Surprising Secrets About Her Bond with ’10 Things I Hate About You’
Julia Stiles at the screening of ‘Wish You Were Here’ in New York on Wednesday, Jan. 15. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty)
Julia Stiles, now 43, considers 10 Things I Hate About You a defining moment in her career. The 1999 teen classic remains the project she’s most “recognized” for, even decades later. “Something’s in the ether, and I love that so much,” Stiles told People Magazine on Wednesday, January 15, at the premiere of her directorial debut, Wish You Were Here.
Stiles opened up about how the role of Kat Stratford resonated deeply with her during her teenage years. “I was a 17-year-old actress auditioning and getting a lot of annoying comments like, ‘You’re too serious,’ or ‘You need to be sexier,’ or ‘Smile more,’” she shared. “And I was vulnerable to it because I was still trying to figure out who I was.”
Finding Kat Stratford, the bold and unapologetic protagonist of 10 Things I Hate About You, was transformative for Stiles. “Then I read 10 Things I Hate About You, and Kat Stratford was like this feisty, outspoken girl who did not care what people thought about her,” Stiles said. “It meant a lot to me to be in that movie, and that it resonates with people still is so great.”
Stiles also reflected on her experience working with Heath Ledger, her co-star in the beloved film, during a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on January 13.
“He was such a force,” Stiles said of Ledger. “He walked into a room and just lit it up and had so much energy and passion, and it’s really sad that he’s gone.”
Ledger tragically passed away at the age of 28 on January 22, 2008, leaving a profound impact on fans and colleagues alike. His role as Patrick Verona in 10 Things I Hate About You remains one of his most iconic performances.
For Stiles, the enduring legacy of 10 Things I Hate About You is a testament to the film’s heartfelt story and its relevance to young audiences, even decades later. “It meant a lot to me to be in that movie,” she said, “and that it resonates with people still is so great.”
As Stiles embarks on her journey as a director, her connection to the film that launched her career continues to hold a special place in her heart and in pop culture history.
