Julia Stiles made her debut on the popular show “Dancing with the Stars,” sparking anticipation about whether she would pay homage to her iconic role in “Save The Last Dance.” The moment arrived in Week 5 when she and her former co-star recreated a scene from the 2001 film.

On a recent live show with a Super Bowl theme, Stiles and her dance partner, Ezra Sosa, performed a hip-hop ballet routine to Jennifer Lopez’s “Jenny from the Block.” The performance was a clear nod to Stiles’ character in the film, Sara Johnson, a ballet dancer who falls in love with a hip-hop dancer.

Midway through the routine, Sosa stepped back to allow Stiles to showcase her signature choreography from the movie. To add to the nostalgia, Stiles’ co-star from the film, Sean Patrick Thomas, appeared on the sidelines, mirroring a classic moment from the movie.

Following the performance, Stiles expressed her excitement, stating, “I’ve been wanting to do that for 25 years.” The crowd cheered in response to the heartfelt tribute.

The routine was well-received by the judges, earning Stiles and Sosa their highest scores of the season and securing their safety from elimination. Social media buzzed with fans and celebrities praising the performance, including a shoutout from Jennifer Lopez herself.

While the tribute garnered praise, some viewers criticized perceived favoritism towards Stiles and Sosa, pointing out that other contestants faced stricter critiques for deviating from traditional dance styles. The debate over judging fairness stirred discussions online among fans and followers of the show.