Julia Stiles has expressed her deep connection with the 1999 classic “10 Things I Hate About You,” describing it as a defining highlight of her career. The 43-year-old actress revealed that even decades later, this beloved teen romantic comedy remains the project she is most “recognized” for.
Speaking to People Magazine on Wednesday, January 15th, at the premiere of her directorial debut, “Wish You Were Here,” Stiles shared her gratitude for the enduring popularity of the film. “Something’s in the ether, and I love that so much,” she remarked.
Reflecting on her early experiences in Hollywood, Stiles recalled the challenges she faced as a young actress navigating the industry. “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,’ and I was vulnerable to it because I was still trying to figure out who I was,” she admitted.
It was during this formative period that Stiles encountered the role of Kat Stratford, the fiercely independent and unapologetically outspoken protagonist of “10 Things I Hate About You.” The character immediately resonated with her. “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,” she explained. “So it meant a lot to me to be in that movie, and that it resonates with people still is so great.”
In addition to her reflections on the film, Stiles also spoke about her late co-star Heath Ledger during an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” on January 13th.
“He was such a force. He walked into a room and just lit it up with so much energy and passion,” she said, praising the charisma and vitality Ledger brought to both his performances and personal interactions. “It’s really sad that he’s gone.”
Ledger, who played Patrick Verona opposite Stiles’ Kat, tragically passed away at the age of 28 on January 22, 2008.
The enduring legacy of “10 Things I Hate About You” continues to hold a special place in Stiles’ heart as both a career milestone and a personal touchstone, a testament to its impact on audiences and its timeless appeal.