Andy Cohen apologizes after Julia Stiles cites his earlier criticism as motivation on Dancing with the Stars
TV host Andy Cohen issued an apology for remarks he made about Julia Stiles' dancing ability, which the actress said spurred her to join Dancing with the Stars, where she performed a debut routine.
Andy Cohen publicly apologized on his talk show after actress Julia Stiles referenced his past comment as a factor that encouraged her to compete on Dancing with the Stars. The remark originated in a September 2025 episode of the SiriusXM program Radio Andy, where Cohen asked co-host Kerry Washington if everyone could agree that Stiles "is not the greatest dancer on the planet." Washington responded with laughter, questioning why the criticism was being emphasized.
Stiles told Entertainment Weekly that the comment led her to stop taking dance classes after her film "Save the Last Dance," because audiences expected her to excel. She said she joined the competition to rediscover enjoyment and confidence in dancing.
During her first performance, a duet to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" with partner Ezra Sosa, Stiles received a score of 18 out of 30. Judge Derek Hough praised her, saying, "Andy Cohen, you can eat it," and complimented her grace and energy.
Cohen later acknowledged his own limited dancing experience by showing a video of himself at a Grateful Dead concert, then said, "Great job, Julia Stiles; you killed it tonight. You did amazing tonight, and I know you’re going to have a great run."