Why Derek Hough Called Out Andy Cohen on Dancing With the Stars

Sep 17, 2026 - 07:09

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Why Derek Hough Called Out Andy Cohen on Dancing With the Stars

Save the Last Dance's Julia Stiles jokingly teased Bravo's Andy Cohen on Dancing With the Stars— with backup from judge Derek Hough— during her season 35 debut Sept. 16, alongside pro Ezra Sosa.

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Julia Stiles is saving the last laugh for Andy Cohen.

The Save the Last Dance star shared how she was using the Bravo host's past critique—that she was "not the greatest dancer on the planet," as he said on Andy Cohen Live in 2025—as motivation to win Dancing With the Stars as a season 35 celebrity competitor.

"The quote is imprinted in my brain," Stiles admitted to partner Ezra Sosa during a rehearsal showed in the Sept. 16 premiere episode. "We're gonna win the Mirrorball, sit on Andy's couch and be like, 'Hey.'"

And the Bourne Identity actress made major strides toward that goal when she got high praise for her quickstep to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5."

As such, judge Derek Hough quipped when evaluating her debut performance, "Andy Cohen, you can eat it!"

Indeed, the actress intends to live up to her legacy as an onstage performer that started with her notable role in the beloved 2011 romance film Save the Last Dance, in which she played a ballerina who fell in love with a new boyfriend (Sean Patrick Thomas) and with hip-hop.

Though she clarified it was a body double dancing in the film, the Emmy nominee was still able to move one step closer to the DWTS finale after scoring an 18 out of 30 points during her quickstep. And the dance meant more than just earning positive feedback from the judges.

"Tonight I am dancing to '9 to 5' by Dolly Parton," Stiles explained of the touching honor bestowed by the late country music icon. "It was only a couple of weeks before Dolly passed that she approved this song specifically for me."

Photo by Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images/Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

"I'm so honored to be dancing to her music and honoring her legacy," she continued, "and I want to make her proud."

In addition to Stiles' touching tribute, it was also an emotional evening for Summer House's Ciara Miller. The reality star danced to "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)"—an inspirational track by another timeless music legend, Whitney Houston—days after she wore Houston's dress to the Emmys 2026.

Keep reading to see the stacked competition for season 35.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa

You won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten

Cha-cha-chopping away... The celebrity chef will be turning up the heat this season.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson

What did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart

The former '90s teen heartthrob will hope to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy

Twenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov

The 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach

The Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills

After sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star is trying her hand.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold

The comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following in the footsteps of wife Whitney Leavitt—who competed on season 34.

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Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess

The Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Jackson Olson & Emma Slater

The Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson

The Jimmy Kimmel Live! star is ready to learn some new moves.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong

The Summer House star is prepping for her turn in the ballrom.

"Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Ciara exclusively told E! News in June. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."

Disney/Andrew Eccles

Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas

The Love Island UK alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn't betray her as she manifested this experience.

"I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."

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