So You Think You Can Dance Winner Joshua Allen Dies at 34

Joshua Allen, the Season 4 winner of So You Think You Can Dance, has died at the age of 34. A family member confirmed his passing to TMZ, sharing that Allen was struck and killed by a train. The tragic news comes less than three years after the death of Allen’s close friend and fellow Season 4 finalist, Stephen “tWitch” Boss.

A Rising Star in Dance

Allen, originally from Fort Worth, Texas, was just 18 years old when he captured America’s attention on So You Think You Can Dance in 2008. Known for his charisma and raw talent, he edged out Boss to win the title, launching a career that would take him from dance competitions to film and television.

He appeared in Step Up 3D (2010), the 2011 remake of Footloose, and had guest roles on shows like Community and American Horror Story. Despite admitting that he was never heavily trained in classical dance, Allen’s athleticism, creativity, and emotional connection to performance made him a standout on the reality competition.

“I really wasn’t that technically trained,” Allen told Entertainment Weekly after his win. “I would just try to take classes in the summer, and when it was school time I would take class, run track, play football. I would always just train in the summer. So it was never hard training.”

Remembering His Friendship With tWitch

Allen’s death has revived painful memories for many fans of the show, given his close friendship with Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who died by suicide in December 2022 at the age of 40. After Boss’s passing, Allen shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, recalling the day they first met in Las Vegas while preparing to audition.

“You’ve inspired me from day one as well as so many others around the world,” Allen wrote at the time. He vowed to support Boss’s family and ended his message with, “This isn’t goodbye more so I’ll see you later. IV’s UP…. IVREAL IVEVER!!!!!!!!!”

Choreographer and close friend Emmanuel Hurd said in his own tribute this week, “Can’t wrap my head around this…Josh…my brotha. There are no words. You were the life of the party. You were Batman. Champion. One of the realest people I ever met.” Hurd added that he found comfort in believing Allen was now reunited with Boss.

Tributes From Friends and Fans

Following reports of Allen’s passing, tributes poured in from across the dance community. Many remembered his playful personality, while others reflected on the impact he had on and off stage.

Hurd told TMZ that Allen “didn’t always do things the way that everybody thought he should, but that’s why he was a winner.”

Fans also revisited Allen’s final Instagram post from July, where he honored actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner after his untimely death. Allen captioned the tribute, “Fly high King 🤴🏾🕊️💔#gonetoosoon,” a message that now resonates even more deeply in light of his own passing.

A Complicated Legacy

While Allen’s career was marked by major achievements, he also faced personal challenges. In 2016, he was arrested for domestic violence involving his girlfriend. The following year, he pled no contest and was sentenced to one year in county jail, five years of probation, and ordered to complete domestic violence counseling. The court also issued a decade-long restraining order barring him from contact with the victim.

Despite those legal troubles, many in the dance community continue to focus on Allen’s contributions as a performer and his role in inspiring a generation of young dancers.

An Enduring Impact

Joshua Allen’s win on So You Think You Can Dance remains one of the show’s most memorable moments, not only because of his talent but also because of the season’s influence in launching the careers of dancers like tWitch, who became cultural icons in their own right.

Allen’s family has asked for privacy and prayers as they grieve, remembering his faith and the values he carried through life. “One of the last things he said was to keep God first at all times,” a family member told TMZ. “You have to be real with yourself before you can be real with anybody else.”

As tributes continue to pour in, Joshua Allen is being remembered as a gifted dancer, a friend to many, and a man whose passion for performance left a lasting mark on the world of dance.