Joshua Allen, the winner of season four of “So You Think You Can Dance,” died Tuesday morning, September 30, 2025, after being struck by a train in Fort Worth, Texas. He was 36 years old.
The Fort Worth Police Department confirmed officers responded to a call about a train accident involving a pedestrian early Tuesday morning. Allen was pronounced dead at a hospital emergency room around 1:30 a.m., according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Allen’s family confirmed his death but declined to provide details about the circumstances, requesting privacy and prayers during this difficult time. Police have not released information about why Allen was on the train tracks, and the official cause and manner of death remain pending investigation.
The hip-hop dancer rose to fame in 2008 when he won the fourth season of “So You Think You Can Dance,” beating out 19 other contestants to claim the $250,000 prize. The season’s runner-up was Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who later became known as the DJ and co-executive producer of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” before his death by suicide in December 2022 at age 40.
Allen’s representative, Christina Price, told reporters that Allen was a truly gifted dancer and actor with an enormous heart who inspired many and gave back to others. She noted that what stood out most about Allen was his heart, and also described him as having a natural gift for movement despite having no formal training. Price indicated he could watch something once and his body just knew how to do it.
Following his “So You Think You Can Dance” victory, Allen transitioned into film work, appearing as a featured dancer in “Step Up 3D” in 2010 alongside fellow show finalists Katee Shean and Boss. He also appeared in the 2011 remake of “Footloose” and had roles in television shows including “Community,” “American Horror Story,” and “Undateable.”
Choreographer Emmanuel Hurd, a close friend and frequent collaborator, paid tribute to Allen on social media. Hurd wrote, “I know you’re with Stephen now and that brings me comfort.” The choreographer described Allen as the life of the party, calling him Batman, champion, and one of the realest people he had ever met.
Allen had maintained a close friendship with Boss following their time on the competition show. When Boss died in 2022, Allen posted an emotional tribute on Instagram, expressing his devastation and explaining that no words could express the love he had for his former competitor.
Born March 13, 1989, in Fort Worth, Allen had legal troubles in 2016 when he was charged with felony domestic violence crimes in Los Angeles for allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend. He pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to one year in county jail in 2017.
Beyond his film and television work, Allen appeared in commercials for Honda and McDonald’s and participated in dance workshops, teaching children in Texas. His representative emphasized that he gave back to his community through these educational programs.
Allen’s final social media post came on July 21, 2025, when he shared a photo of himself with “The Cosby Show” actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner following Warner’s death announcement. Allen wrote that Warner should fly high, noting he was gone too soon.
The dance community has expressed shock at Allen’s sudden death. His friend Hurd told media outlets that Allen was a very honest, real person who didn’t always do things the way everyone thought he should, but that authenticity was part of what made him a winner.
Allen’s death marks another loss for the “So You Think You Can Dance” family, following the 2022 suicide of Boss, who had served as a judge on later seasons of the show. The Fox competition series has launched the careers of numerous dancers and choreographers since its debut in 2005.
The investigation into the train accident remains ongoing, with authorities working to determine the circumstances that led to Allen being on the tracks so early Tuesday morning in his hometown of Fort Worth.
