Needless to say, Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa are not saving their last dance for Juilliard.

After the actress was paired with the pro dancer on Dancing With the Stars season 35, fans began resurfacing nostalgic videos of her putting her dancing skills on display in the 2001 movie Save the Last Dance, in which she played teen Sara Johnson, a ballerina aspiring to attend The Juilliard School.

But Juilliard quickly two-stepped in to make sure fans knew she didn't actually take classes there.

"*Checks registrar* No, Julia Stiles did not, in fact, attend Juilliard. But we love her anyway," the school wrote on Instagram Sept. 3. "You can see ~actual~ Juilliard dancers (and musicians and actors) on Opening Night of the Juilliard Fall Festival Sept 16."

And while Juilliard added "P.S. Good luck on DWTS, Julia… we’re cheering you on," Stiles and Sosa weren't exactly touched by the comment.

"I heard about it, because I think that Juilliard actually posted saying, 'For the record, she did not go to our school,'" Stiles exclusively told E! News at the 2026 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sept. 6, with Sosa adding, "which was kind of shady, but honestly, really funny."

"That was a pretend character I played in a movie," Stiles clarified. "Not only did I not go to Juilliard, I didn't even audition for Juilliard, and I couldn't even, as an actress, get a dancer."

Although her onscreen character (spoiler alert) was ultimately accepted into the prestigious performing arts school, Stiles actually graduated from Columbia University IRL—which is why she doesn't think her training for Save the Last Dance will give her an edge on DWTS. 

"I stopped taking dance classes after that movie," she told E!. "And I wasn't even that good of a dancer to start with. I mean, I'm a home dancer—I have rhythm, that's why I was cast. But in terms of the training, no. So, this is all new to me."

However, she's off to a swinging start. In fact, Stiles and Sosa have already picked out a team name ahead of the Sept. 14 premiere: So Stilez, as a play on their two last names. 

And, following Sosa's annual tradition, they're planning to get tattoos together to commemorate the season.

"Literally, it was probably one of our first discussions," he said. "We're like, 'So the tattoos.' But we don't know what we're gonna get yet."

Sosa added, “We're just gonna let the season unfold, and then we'll see what the tattoo is."

But even before they step into the ballroom, the dance pro already has 10 things he loves about her.

"She's doing absolutely incredible," Sosa added of their rehearsals. "I will confidently say I've never worked with someone who's working so hard and who's so passionate about doing this, and it just makes me so excited to see their journey on the show."

Before Dancing With the Stars season 35 premieres Sept. 14, put on your dancing shoes and read on for a look at the rest of the cast.

You won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.

Cha-cha-chopping away... The celebrity chef will be turning up the heat this season.

What did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.

The former '90s teen heartthrob will hope to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.

Twenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.

The 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.

The Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.

After sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star is trying her hand.

The comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following in the footsteps of wife Whitney Leavitt—who competed on season 34.

The Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.

The Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.

The Jimmy Kimmel Live! star is ready to learn some new moves.

The Summer House star is prepping for her turn in the ballrom. 

"Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Ciara exclusively told E! News in June. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."

The Love Island UK alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn't betray her as she manifested this experience.

"I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."