Juilliard Issues Playful Apology to Julia Stiles Over Fictional Character

On September 17, Juilliard posted a TikTok video featuring Julia Stiles and her professional dance partner Ezra Sosa, delivering a humorous correction after earlier confusion involving Stiles and her role in Save the Last Dance. The school acknowledged a “clerical error” and stated her alumni file had been misfiled under the name Sarah Johnson.

The institution affirmed its pride in Stiles and expressed support for her and Sosa on Dancing With the Stars. Its message included a playful nod to the film, noting: “Remember, Dancing With the Stars ain’t no square dance, but we know you’ll dance circles, probably, around everyone else.”

Juilliard’s clarification on the Sarah Johnson reference

Juilliard specified that its original September 3 social media post was never directed at Stiles personally. Instead, it pertained solely to her fictional character — Sarah Johnson — who attends the school in the 2001 film. Stiles confirmed this distinction during an exclusive E! interview, reiterating that she never attended Juilliard.

Fans affiliated with Juilliard sent Stiles and Sosa official alumni merchandise, including a T-shirt. Stiles joked about the garment, saying, “They know I love a crop top.”

Andy Cohen’s on-air apology following Stiles’s quickstep performance

After Stiles performed a well-received quickstep on the September 16 premiere of Dancing With the Stars, Andy Cohen issued a public retraction of his earlier remark that she was “not the greatest dancer on the planet.” Speaking on Watch What Happens Live, he declared himself “Jackhole of the Day” and told Stiles, “Julia, I am so sorry. I am the last person who should be giving anyone feedback on their dancing.”

He added, “Great job, Julia Stiles” and “You killed it tonight.” Judge Derek Hough had earlier told Cohen, “you can eat it,” following the performance.

Stiles remains a contestant on Dancing With the Stars, competing for the Mirrorball Trophy. Her character Sarah Johnson attended Juilliard in Save the Last Dance, but Stiles herself did not attend the institution.