Fans of "Dancing with the Stars" might have noticed something specific about the song contestant Julia Stiles and partner Ezra Sosa used: it was a recording - and a familiar one.
Season 35 of the competition dance show had a two-night premiere on Sept. 15 and 16. Usually a live band performs the music for the couples' dances, but when Stiles and Sosa took the stage for their quickstep, a recording of Dolly Parton singing "9 to 5" was playing.
The theme for the night was "nostalgia," and Stiles said the use of Parton's 1980 hit was approved before her death.
"Dolly's song was like, it has to be this song. And we didn't know, obviously, that she was, we didn't even know she was sick, but luckily, it cleared right before she passed," Stiles said in
an Entertainment Tonight interview. "Anytime I got nervous or second-guessed myself, I just like thought of her. She is such a powerhouse, it's such an anthem, she brings so much joy to people and that's what we want to do here."
Watch "Dancing with the Stars" on Disney+ or Hulu
Parton died at 80 after a brief battle with cancer, according to announcement from her family on Aug. 25.
Who is Julia Stiles?
Stiles, 41, is an actress (and now dancer) known for her roles in late '90s and early 2000s romantic comedies such as "10 Things I Hate about You" and "The Prince and Me."
Another major role for Stiles was as Joan Brandwyn in "Mona Lisa Smile." The star-studded cast of this 2003 movie included Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
More recently, Stiles appeared in "The Lake," an Amazon Prime Video TV series that aired from 2022 to 2023. She also appeared in the 2019 film "Hustlers," the 2012 movie "Silver Linings Playbook" and 2001's "Save the Last Dance."
How to watch "Dancing with the Stars"
Season 35 of "Dancing with the Stars" airs live on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. CT. Episodes are available on Hulu the next day.
The next episode of this season's "Dancing with the Stars" will air Sept. 22.
Afton Pratt covers trending and breaking news for Knox News and Tennessee. She can be reached at ampratt@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dolly Parton OK'd '9 to 5' for 'Dancing with the Stars' before her death
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
