DWTS Season 35: Julia Stiles and Derek Hough Throw Shade at Andy Cohen

When Julia Stiles stepped onto the Dancing With the Stars stage on September 16, she didn’t just bring her trademark poise—she brought a little revenge, too. The actress recalled a snarky line from Bravo’s Andy Cohen, who once quipped on Andy Cohen Live that she wasn’t "the greatest dancer on the planet." That off‑hand comment has now been etched into her mind, and she says it’s the perfect pep‑talk for her Season 35 campaign.

“The quote is imprinted in my brain,” Stiles confided to her professional partner, Ezra Sosa, during a rehearsal that aired in the premiere episode. “We’re gonna win the Mirrorball, sit on Andy’s couch and be like, ‘Hey.’” The confidence was palpable, and the quickstep that followed proved she’s serious about the goal.

Set to Dolly Parton’s iconic “9 to 5,” Stiles twirled and sizzled through a routine that earned high praise from the judges. When Derek Hough, the veteran ballroom star‑turned‑judge, delivered his scores, he tossed in a cheeky line that made the audience grin: “Andy Cohen, you can eat it!” It was a light‑hearted jab, but one that underscored how much the actress is using the past shade as motivation.

Beyond the banter, the performance carried emotional weight. Stiles explained that Dolly Parton herself had personally approved the song for her just weeks before the singer’s passing, turning the dance into a tribute. “I’m honored to be dancing to her music and honoring her legacy,” the actress said, eyes glimmering with admiration.

The episode also featured other notable competitors: Summer House’s Ciara Miller paid homage to Whitney Houston with “Exhale (Shoop Shoop),” while culinary star Giada De Laurentiis brought some heat to the cha‑cha with partner Alan Bersten. From Glee alumnus Harry Shum Jr. to former Step Up star Jenna Dewan, the cast reads like a nostalgic roll‑call of early‑2000s pop culture.

As the season unfolds, Stiles hopes the shade she’s taking from Cohen will turn into sparkle on the Mirrorball. “We’re just getting started,” she told the camera, a smile teasing the promise of more show‑stopping moments to come.