20 Photos of a Young Julia Stiles on the Set of “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)

The image of Julia Stiles on the set of 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) has become a quintessential symbol of late-1990s teen culture. Portraying the fiercely independent and “heinous” Kat Stratford, Stiles brought a grounded, intellectual energy to a genre that was often criticized for being superficial.

Filmed in Tacoma, Washington, the production used the real-life Stadium High School, which looked more like a French Renaissance castle than a typical American public school. This architectural choice added to the “modern Shakespeare” aesthetic, as the film is a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew.

While on set, Stiles has mentioned that her crying during the reading of the “10 Things” poem was unplanned. The raw emotion was caught in a single take, which eventually became the emotional anchor of the film. To prepare for the scene where Kat dances on a table to Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize,” Stiles reportedly practiced her “drunk dancing” to ensure it looked authentic and unpolished. The cast, including Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Larisa Oleynik, spent most of their time together in a local hotel, creating a genuine camaraderie that translated onto the screen.

Stiles’s look on set, often featuring mid-rise khakis, platform sandals, and minimal makeup, defined the “alternative” teen style of the era. More importantly, her character challenged gender norms. She was shown reading The Bell Jar and listening to “riot grrrl” bands like Bikini Kill. She wasn’t the “mean girl” or the “nerd”; she was a young woman who refused to perform for the male gaze.

Released on March 31, 1999, 10 Things I Hate About You grossed $53.5 million and received generally positive reviews from critics. It provided breakthrough roles for Stiles, Ledger, and Gordon-Levitt, all of whom were nominated for various teen-oriented awards. Ten years later, it was adapted into a television reboot, which ran for twenty episodes and featured Larry Miller reprising his role as Walter Stratford. Since its release, the film has gained popularity as a cult classic, often being cited as one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time.