So You Think You Can Dance has been a pioneer in the dance-competition show genre for two decades now, introducing us to electrifying new dancers year after year.
Since its premiere in 2005, talented artists from around the world have come and showcased their skills, ranging from contemporary to hip-hop, jazz, ballroom and everything in between. The show’s contestants became beloved as we watched them from our living rooms, so we join in the shock of their family, friends and loved ones when a contestant dies, as Doneylle Wilson did Dec. 2.
We pay tribute to the So You Think You Can Dance stars who have died.
Donyelle Jones
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On December 2, 2025, the official account for Donyelle Denis Wilson, known to fans as Donyelle Jones, announced that the season 2 finalist had died. She was 46.
“Today at 8:34 am, Donyelle Denis Wilson transitioned,” the post read. “A wife. A daughter. A sister. A friend. And a warrior who kicked cancers a– every single day she was here.”
“Her spirit never dimmed. Her heart never hardened. And even in the storm, she never lost her smile.”
Donyelle was diagnosed with stage 3C breast cancer in 2016, which later progressed to Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.
The hip-hop/jazz dancer rose to prominence during season 2 of So You Think You Can Dance, which aired in the summer of 2006. She finished in third place.
Joshua Allen
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Season 4 winner Joshua Allen died on September 30, 2025, after being struck by a train, a family member told TMZ.
A native of Texas, Allen was only 18 when he won season 4 of the dance competition show and would return for the All-Stars season. After his win, he starred in 2010’s Step Up 3D, 2011’s Footloose remake and an episode of American Horror Story in 2011.
He was 36 at the time of his death.
Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss
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Fans were shocked when, on Dec. 14, 2022, Allison Holker Boss, revealed that her beloved husband, Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, had died by suicide that morning.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” she confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE.
“Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”
Boss began his career competing on MTV’s The Wade Robson Project before becoming a runner-up on Star Search. He competed on So You Think You Can Dance season 4, along with Allen, and was a runner-up. He also returned as an All-Star and was a judge when the show returned in 2022.
He joined The Ellen DeGeneres Show as a guest DJ in 2014 before coming on permanently. In 2020, he was elevated to co-executive producer.
Dave Scott
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Dave Scott, who served as choreographer on SYTYCD from season 3 onwards, died on June 16, 2025, according to an announcement on his Instagram.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Dave Scott, who touched so many lives with his warmth, kindness and spirit,” the statement read in part.
Paired with a black and white photo of Scott smiling, the caption read, “Today we have lost an icon, a legend, a father and a dear friend. The weight of this loss will send ripples through time. But his memory and legacy will continue to live on.”
“We love you Dave Scott and everything you’ve accomplished and the joy and comfort you’ve brought to people will never be forgotten,” it concluded.
In addition to SYTYCD, Scott also worked onYou Got Served, Step Up 2: The Streets and season 8 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, among other notable works.
Danny Tidwell
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Season 3 runner-up Danny Tidwell died following a car crash in March 2020. He was 35.
His brother and fellow dancer and choreographer, Travis Wall, paid tribute, writing on Instagram that his “heart is broken.”
“Yesterday I lost a brother. And we all lost a gift,” he wrote, posting a slideshow of photos of Tidwell. “I’m not ready. But I never think I will be. Because I can’t believe this is real. I can’t believe you’re gone. You were more than my brother. You were my inspiration. I idolized you growing up. Wanted to dance just like you. Wanted to be you!”
He added: “I wish I could jump in your arms again like we used to when we were kids and onstage dancing.”
Serge Onik
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Season 11 contestant Serge Onik died on Aug. 24, 2021, his rep Jim Keith revealed in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.
“He was an amazing dancer with a huge heart and he touched the lives of everyone who met him,” Keith said. “He will be truly missed. This is a sad day for us at the agency and for the dance community as a whole.
Details about his cause of death were not released. He was 33.
