# Julia Stiles Honors Dolly Parton on DWTS

> Julia Stiles pays tribute to Dolly Parton with '9 to 5' performance on Dancing With The Stars.
- Title: Julia Stiles Honors Dolly Parton on DWTS · Page Six | Shortify
- Summary: Julia Stiles pays tribute to Dolly Parton with '9 to 5' performance on Dancing With The Stars. Julia Stiles performed '9 to 5' to honor Dolly Parton's legacy…
- Keywords: julia stiles, dolly parton, dancing with the stars, 9 to 5, dolly parton tribute, dancing with the stars season 35, dolly parton death, dolly parton cancer, news, entertainment, Julia, Stiles
- Source: Page Six — https://pagesix.com/2026/09/16/entertainment/julia-stiles-pays-tribute-to-dolly-parton-during-dancing-with-the-stars-debut-with-epic-9-to-5-performance
- Published: 2026-09-17T01:13:10+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: julia stiles, dolly parton, dancing with the stars, 9 to 5, dolly parton tribute, dancing with the stars season 35, dolly parton death, dolly parton cancer, news, entertainment
## Julia Stiles' DWTS Debut
Julia Stiles made her highly anticipated Dancing With The Stars debut Wednesday night.
## Tribute to Dolly Parton
Stiles performed a Quickstep to '9 to 5' in honor of the late country music icon who died last month at age 80.
## Film Origin of Song
The song was originally written and recorded by Parton for the 1980 workplace comedy film '9 to 5' starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
## Film Characters
The film follows three female coworkers, Judy Bernly (Fonda), Doralee Rhodes (Parton) and Violet Newstead (Tomlin), who turn the tables on their obnoxious boss.
## Stiles' Tribute Explanation
Stiles said Dolly approved the song weeks before her death and she wants to honor her legacy by making her proud.

> A couple weeks before Dolly passed, she approved this song, specifically for me. I’m so honored to be dancing to her music and honoring her legacy. I wanna make her proud
## Judge Reactions
Judges called Stiles 'beautiful,' 'graceful' and 'radiant' for her tribute performance.

> You were in character, spot on, all the way through. You’re a great actor and a great dancer.
## Score and Placement
Stiles and Sosa received a total score of 18/30 for their tribute piece, placing them high on the leaderboard.
## Dolly Parton's Legacy
Parton died in Nashville, Tennessee on Aug. 25 after a brief battle with cancer, leaving a lasting impact through her generosity and philanthropy.

> After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life [on Aug. 25] at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones
## Key takeaway

Julia Stiles performed '9 to 5' to honor Dolly Parton's legacy during her 'Dancing With The Stars' debut.