In a video shared to his official Instagram account on Wednesday, the actor addressed fans directly to explain why he was unable to travel to Los Angeles to join his former castmates on the ballroom floor. Krumholtz revealed that he is currently staying in the Catskill Mountains region of upstate New York, where he is hard at work filming a brand-new movie project that requires his full physical presence on set.
Expressing genuine disappointment over missing the milestone television moment, Krumholtz shared his heartfelt thoughts in the video message. He stated that he could not be in Los Angeles for Dancing With the Stars the previous night, though he would have loved, loved, loved to have been there. Everyone looked so amazing, he noted, adding that Julia Stiles’ tribute to his dear friend, whom he misses every single day, was astonishing and stunning, leaving him feeling deeply proud of her.
Krumholtz also took a moment to comment on how well his former colleagues have aged over the decades since the film premiered. He remarked that he thought the entire cast looked amazing and that they all still look remarkably young. However, the actor quickly transitioned to a lighter, more humorous note, playfully removing his hat to reveal his newly shaved, bald head. He quipped that it would have felt quite weird to step out onto the live ballroom television stage alongside his former co-stars after completely shaving off what was left of his hair, pointing out that such a dramatic physical transformation would undoubtedly have turned into instant internet fodder.
While he admitted he did not want that kind of digital attention, he clarified that his appearance was not the actual reason for his absence. He emphasized that he would have gladly dealt with the public reaction if he had been free, concluding his message with a warm declaration of affection for his former castmates.
The nostalgic television moment unfolded during a dedicated themed episode of Dancing With the Stars. Julia Stiles, who famously played the quick-witted and fiercely independent Kat Stratford in the classic movie, took to the ballroom floor alongside her professional dance partner, Ezra Sosa. The pair delivered an emotional and highly praised routine dedicated to Heath Ledger, who starred opposite Stiles as the charismatic rebel Patrick Verona. Ledger tragically passed away in January 2008 at the age of 28 following an accidental prescription drug overdose, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable cinematic performances.
For their routine, Stiles and Sosa performed a captivating dance set to the upbeat tune of Frankie Valli’s "Can’t Take My Eyes Off You." The song holds a very special place in pop culture history as the exact track that Ledger’s character used to serenade Stiles during a memorable sequence at the high school stadium during her soccer practice. In that iconic scene from the film, Ledger’s Patrick brazenly runs and dances across the bleachers while a full high school marching band plays, all in an effort to win over Kat after being paid by prospective suitor Joey Donner to take her out on a date.
Following Stiles and Sosa’s poignant performance, which cleverly incorporated several of Ledger’s most recognizable dance moves from the film, the emotional resonance in the ballroom deepened. The audio recording of the famous poem that Stiles’ character reads aloud in English class—detailing the complicated, enduring feelings she has for Patrick—began playing softly across the ballroom speakers. In a breathtaking finale to the tribute, Stiles walked over to the edge of the floor, knelt down, and tenderly laid a single flower on the ground to honor her late co-star.
At that exact moment, the studio audience and television viewers were treated to a massive surprise as several members of the original 10 Things I Hate About You ensemble emerged to support Stiles and celebrate the legacy of their late friend. The star-studded reunion group included Andrew Keegan, who played the superficial high school heartthrob Joey Donner; Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who portrayed the sweet and earnest new student Cameron James; Larisa Oleynik, who played Kat’s popular younger sister Bianca Stratford; Gabrielle Union, who famously starred as Chastity; and Susan May Pratt, who played Kat’s loyal and quirky best friend Mandella.
Directed by Gil Junger and loosely based on William Shakespeare’s classic play The Taming of the Shrew, 10 Things I Hate About You has endured as a definitive high school romantic comedy of the late 20th century. The narrative centers on the strict household rules established by a protective father, dictating that the popular younger sister Bianca cannot date until her fiercely antisocial older sister, Kat, manages to find a boyfriend first. This prompts the desperate Joey Donner to orchestrate a plan, paying the mysterious and rebellious new boy, Patrick Verona, to court Kat and clear the path for Bianca.
Within this memorable ensemble, David Krumholtz played Michael Eckman, a close friend and confidant to Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Cameron James who also harbors an endearing crush on Bianca. Though Krumholtz could not physically be present in the ballroom to share the stage with Keegan, Gordon-Levitt, Oleynik, Union, and Pratt, his video tribute ensured that his fond memories of the production and his lasting bond with the cast and crew were strongly felt.