How Julia Stiles Stuck It to Rival Andy Cohen With Her 'DWTS' Season 35 Debut

Julia Stiles has turned her “Dancing With the Stars” Season 35 debut into a pointed response to Andy Cohen. During Tuesday’s premiere, her partner Ezra Sosa asked why she returned to the ballroom after years away from dance classes. Stiles said she stopped taking lessons when people expected her moves to be perfect, then named Cohen as the motivation—referring to Cohen’s earlier comment to Kerry Washington that Stiles “is not the greatest dancer on the planet.” Stiles pledged they would “win the Mirrorball” and quipped about sitting on Cohen’s couch. Her debut performance of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” scored 18/30. Separately, the Juilliard School posted support. Stiles remains undefeated in the storyline as the season begins.