From Juilliard Dreams To Hollywood Queens: Where…
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It’s exhausting to consider it’s been more than 20 years since Save the Last Dance first hit theaters in 2001! The beloved teen drama introduced together ballet, hip-hop, romance, and loads of unforgettable dance moments, rapidly turning into a fan favourite and incomes more than $130 million worldwide, according to US Weekly.
The movie follows Sara Johnson (Julia Stiles), a gifted younger ballerina whose desires of attending the distinguished Juilliard School are turned upside down after her mom unexpectedly dies. Forced to go away her outdated life behind, Sara strikes to Chicago’s South Side to live with her father (Terry Kinney). It’s there that she meets Derek Reynolds (Sean Patrick Thomas), a college-bound scholar who introduces her to hip-hop and helps her uncover a complete new facet of dance.
Between the memorable soundtrack, budding romance, and iconic choreography, Save the Last Dance grew to become one of the defining teen motion pictures of the early 2000s. The success even led to a straight-to-DVD sequel in 2006, although Stiles didn’t return for the follow-up.
But what occurred to the celebs who made us fall in love with the film in the first place? From major Hollywood careers to an emotional reunion more than 20 years later, right here’s a look at where the solid of Save the Last Dance is today.
Julia Stiles (Sara Johnson)
Julia Stiles was just 19 years outdated when she stepped into the function of Sara Johnson, but her efficiency helped make Save the Last Dance an unforgettable teen traditional. Since then, she’s constructed an spectacular profession, starring in major tasks just like the Bourne movie franchise and Hustlers.
And if followers thought they’d seen the last of Sara’s dance strikes, suppose again!
In October 2026, Stiles shocked followers by revisiting her iconic function during Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars. Partnering with skilled dancer Ezra Sosa, she carried out a jazz routine to Jennifer Lopez’s hit “Jenny from the Block,” incorporating a recreation of Sara’s unforgettable Juilliard audition dance.
The efficiency grew to become even more particular when her former co-star Sean Patrick Thomas joined her onstage for the tribute. Talk about a full-circle second.
Speaking to PEOPLE about returning to the choreography, Stiles said:
“I wasn’t gonna come on this show and recreate that dance and not step it up a notch.”
She also mirrored on how a lot she’s grown since filming the unique film, sharing, “Little Julia back then, I wish that she could have known that… years later she would be here, making that dance even better.”
The actress continued:
“Like, I’m a grown woman now, and I’m so much more comfortable in who I am and how I look and all that, that I wish that she had known that at the time. But it feels really nice.”
Stiles also admitted how particular it was to have Thomas there cheering her on.
“I got to see [him] before the show started. I got to wave, and it was full circle,” she added, gushing, “I had the best time.”
It’s secure to say followers couldn’t have requested for a better reunion!
The post From Juilliard Dreams To Hollywood Queens: Where ‘Save The Last Dance’ Stars Kerry Washington, Julia Stiles, Bianca Lawson & More Are Now appeared first on GWN.
