The Untold Truth Of 10 Things I Hate About You

The cast's chemistry is, of course, apparent throughout the film, particularly between lead couple Kat (Stiles) and Patrick (Ledger). Even so, several sources have reported that offscreen, Stiles had eyes for a different co-star: Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Junger revealed in 2021 that the pair "were very, very attracted to each other," and "dated for a minute or 10." But according to the New Zealand Herald, in a special DVD release, other castmembers identified Stiles and Ledger as the secret couple.

For their part, Stiles and Gordon-Levitt have kept quiet about the truth. Stiles has acknowledged that there were cast hook-ups, but she has refused to reveal any names for the official record, arguing it's just what happens.

"You get a bunch of young people together, you're having a lot of fun," she explained. "We were at a time in our lives when we were still open and uncensored, and un-self-conscious — it was fun."

While Stiles and Ledger may not have engaged in a summer fling, Stiles does look back on her time working alongside him with great fondness. After production wrapped, the late star even left her a note to remember him by.

"I dug up this old note that he had written on this hotel stationery, Stiles would later recall. "I forget the beginning of the quote, but it's like, 'Dance like you've never heard the music and love like you've never been hurt.' It was so sweet. I almost cried. That was his goodbye note to me."