Julie Stiles Performs Famous “Save the Last Dance” Routine on SNL

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Published December 11, 2023

In a blast from the early 2000s, Julia Stiles returned to Saturday Night Live this weekend, not as a host, but to revisit her iconic role in Save The Last Dance.

Chloe Fineman, an SNL cast member known for her spot-on impressions, pitched a unique holiday gift idea. Decked out in a recreation of Sara's (Stiles') Juilliard audition outfit, confidently declared, “The perfect holiday gift this year is the dance that Julia Stiles does at the end of the 2001 movie Save the Last Dance.”

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— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) December 10, 2023

This marked Stiles' first appearance on SNL since her 2001 hosting stint alongside musical guest Aerosmith. The surprise cameo wasn't just a nostalgic treat for fans, it also poked fun at the film's enduring legacy, particularly the much-memed and debated "street ballet" routine.

Save the Last Dance, which also stars Kerry Washington and Sean Patrick Thomas, follows Sara's journey as she navigates a new life and love interest on Chicago's South Side after a family tragedy. The film's exploration of race, class, and passion for dance resonated with audiences, solidifying Stiles as a teen idol of the era.

Stiles' return to SNL proves she still has the comedic timing and, of course, the dance moves to keep up with the new generation. Here's hoping this isn't her last last dance