Julia Stiles blew everyone away with the emotions she built to deliver that performance, and
when many found out there was no off-screen romance between her and Heath Ledger, it turned
out to be even MORE impressive.
But what if everyone was thinking about the wrong co-star?
When her real love interest and the person she thought about in that entire scene was
right under our noses?
Rumour has it (and by that, we mean the Director) that Stiles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were
crazy about each other while filming the iconic cult classic, 10 Things I Hate About You.
It's no surprise that most stars fall for each other on set.
However, it's usually the couple that spends most of the time together and happens to be
across one another.
But in Julia's case, it was the actor who she spent the least time with on set that
captured her young heart.
While Joseph's character was busy chasing after Julia's character's little sister, and
it seemed that Kat was too busy falling for Ledger's character, the exact opposite was
happening off-screen.
"She's, like, professing her love to Heath, and she's in love with the guy who's waiting
in his trailer to shoot the next scene," The film's director shared.
"Yeah, but watching them, it was beautiful how much they enjoyed each other."
Although the actor played a younger role, both actors were eighteen when the set became
the place they looked forward to being at the most.
Who now wants to watch the movie all over again to see if any sparks were flying in
the air that the viewers missed?
Well, there is one unforgettable scene where the passion was undeniable.
Although the two never shared that scene or any other scene for that matter, young Julia
could not stop thinking about Joseph.
When Stiles gave the memorable and grippingly emotional performance, she had Joseph in her
heart the entire time.
The film's director recently spoke on the secret romance between the couple and how
it made the end poetry scene so special.
"It just killed me.
It was so raw, and it was so honest, and it was so vulnerable.
I even asked her" he shared "—I said, 'Where did that come from?'
And she told me, 'I was just thinking about—that person's name that she was deeply in love
with at the time."
Although there has been speculation of Stiles and Ledger having an off-screen romance, the
director put those lifelong rumours to bed, adding that the person the Dexter actress
was thinking of, quote, "wasn't me, certainly, but it wasn't Heath either."
This fleeting romance is most likely one that none of the film's fans saw coming.
Both stars are yet to comment on the film director's interview and the details he revealed.
However, with the two happily married, Stiles having welcomed a baby boy and Gordon-Levitt
being a doting father of two, we doubt they care about their short-lived teenage love.
In a Rolling Stones interview, back in 2000, the Hustlers actress cleared up where they
stood after the interviewer referred to Gordon-Levitt as her "old boyfriend".
"We're friends.
We say hello to each other."
But an unexpected romance is not the only thing the actress took away from her role
in the film.
Kat Stratford, her character in 10 Things I Hate About You, was considered a strong,
opinionated girl who gave up popularity for a more meaningful life, and the same can be
said for the actress and her career.
After starring as Kat, the actress became very meticulous about the types of roles she
played.
After another beloved classic, Save The Last Dance, a movie she said she could not rewatch
because her performance was "cringeworthy", Stiles took on several strong female leads
in movies like The Mona Lisa Smile and The Prince And Me, which were sadly considered
film flops.
Her film career began to spiral down, and she realised that she was no longer the popular
girl in Hollywood and seemed to be okay with that.
"I think audiences, producers and directors included, develop crushes on actors (actresses
in particular) and then lose interest and move on to the next one."
the star shared.
Realising that she may have reached a dead-end in her acting career, Julia decided to step
out of the spotlight and focus on a life behind the scenes.
Stiles put down her acting gloves and picked up filmmaking ones.
She worked on almost anything, from editing music videos to directing short films.
However, this went unnoticed in Hollywood and just seemed more like work she took on
to keep her busy while fighting to find her spot on our screens again.
If she could be like some of her musician friends and try to pursue acting on the side
of the road, she would, but like she said
"I can't go on a street corner and start reciting a monologue.
Acting is very collaborative, and you always need other people with you."
Although the actress grew up with a negative view of acting on T.V., that all changed when
Stiles was offered a role in Season 5 of the Showtime series Dexter.
The actress had always feared going into the cable drama business, afraid to commit to
something that she would end up regretting.
According to the star, her experience changed her thoughts about the small screen forever.
Stiles received a character arc that allowed her to show a range of emotions and a pleasantly
surprising performance that reminded many why she is a favourite.
Though her character is introduced as being full of doubt and not trusting Dexter, the
two later form a bond that is exceptional to watch, and she later becomes one of the
few people who know the killing machines true colours.
Her portrayal of the character paved her way to an Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors
Guild nomination.
Had it not been for her experience in the chilling thriller, the actress would not have
jumped into filming her debut lead revision role in Riviera.
From romantic comedies to thrilling dramas, Stiles has shown that she can do it all and
lucky for her, she has a loyal fan base that is always rooting for her to succeed.
But if anyone was still holding on to hope for a 10 Things I Hate About You sequel, they
might not want to hold their breath.
Although the actress is not against the idea, she's just not sure it would make sense.
"What would a reunion sequel involve?
I don't even understand how that would work."
Could there even be a prequel without Heath Ledger's dazzling and dreamy bad boy?
Believe it or not, most of what the actress knows about acting, she learnt from the late
legend himself!
Julia fell in love with drama at a young age, after often attending the theatre with her
parents.
Her ambitious and hardworking spirit was also cultivated in her youth, from working in her
parent's shop.
Her love for Shakespeare and theatre led the young talent to debut in her first play at
just eleven years old.
And after a series of teen films that were not so notable, Stiles landed her breakout
role as Kat.
Aside from Ledger, Stiles brought a memorable performance and apparently, bits of it was
all thanks to the award-winning Australian actor.
Remember the famous scene where Kat gets wholly drunk and gives the school a table dance?
It turns out she learnt how to act intoxicated from her co-stars.
And it seems the acting classes were very useful because we sure believed that she could
barely stand up straight.
Although Ledger was young and had little experience in the industry, he did not let that stop
him from sharing tricks of the trade that helped HIM, and those techniques later helped
Stiles in her more serious projects.
Even though Julia went from playing "the girlfriend role" in many films to now receiving offers
to play "the mother role", she is not at all worried about her career as she ages.
Like the celebrated Meryl Streep, Julia intends to embrace her age.
And it seems the actress has been doing some internal growth too.
Channelling her inner Kat Stratford, Stiles recalled how she had not been faithful to
herself in past years.
"I wish I'd been more careful about some of the things I said."
the actress regretfully shared.
"I learned through trial and error what it means to be quoted.
I wouldn't have said things for effect and for popularity over things that I actually
thought"
Well, she seems to have learned from her mistakes, and her most iconic role ever is still teaching
adults and children lessons to this day.
It's been over two decades since the film's release in March 1999, and it has proven to
be a much-loved fan favourite still.
Aside from the perfect cast, trendy clothes, and headbanging soundtrack, this teen movie
told a coming of age story in a refreshing way.
Most of its lessons remain timeless even for the modern audience.
Kat Stratford does not shrink herself for anyone or anything.
Even if it affects her popularity, she will always choose to stay true to herself, and
it seems like Julia Stiles shares this same spirit.
She continues to defy Hollywood's expectations and follows her own heart, focusing on her
happiness.
That's it for today.
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