LOS ANGELES — Julia Stiles made her Dancing With the Stars Season 35 debut on September 16, 2026, performing a quickstep to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” with professional partner Ezra Sosa.
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Stiles revealed that Parton personally approved the use of the song for her routine just weeks before the country icon’s death in late August. “I’m so honored to be dancing to her music and honoring her legacy,” Stiles said. “I want to make her proud.”
The pair received a score of 18 out of 30 from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli. Judges praised Stiles for staying in character and delivering a graceful performance.
The tribute came during the second night of the two-night premiere, in which female celebrities performed to No. 1 songs from their birth years.
Based on the September 16, 2026, episode of Dancing With the Stars and contemporaneous reporting.
