The dance world is mourning the sudden loss of Joshua Allen, a beloved former contestant from So You Think You Can Dance. His family has now shared more details about what happened.
A family member told TMZ on Wednesday, October 1, that Allen was hit by a train. He passed away in a hospital near his Texas home on Tuesday. It’s a truly heartbreaking end for a talented artist.
His family also shared some profound words Allen spoke before he died. "One of the last things he said was that you always have to put God first," a relative noted. "You have to be true to yourself before you can be true to anyone else." These words offer a glimpse into his spirit.
Just before the news of Allen’s identity came out, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram confirmed police activity. On Tuesday, September 30, around 1 AM local time, officers responded to train tracks near an intersection in south Fort Worth. They found a man who had been hit by a train. He was taken to a nearby medical center, though his name was not released at that time. Both reports indicate the investigation into his death is still active.
TMZ first broke the news of Allen’s passing on Wednesday. His family quickly asked for "privacy and prayers" during this difficult time. The official cause of his death was not immediately shared.
Emmanuel Hurd, a close friend of Allen, spoke about the dancer’s unique character. He called Allen "a very honest and authentic person." Hurd added, "He didn’t always do things the way everyone thought he should, but that’s why he was a winner." His words paint a picture of someone who truly danced to his own beat.
Allen first found fame on the fourth season of So You Think You Can Dance. He was crowned "America’s Favorite Dancer," beating out runner-up Stephen "tWitch" Boss. Sadly, tWitch passed away from suicide in December 2022 at age 40. Allen shared a powerful and emotional tribute to his friend on Instagram after tWitch’s death.
"To my brother: I’m struggling to even write this message without breaking down, devastated would be an understatement," Allen wrote. "I’ve been trying to find the right words for days and nothing seems to fit to express the pain of losing you. NO WORD will be enough to explain the LOVE I have for you, Stephen."
Allen continued, "You are such a genuine and loving person, you ALWAYS showed love to whoever crossed your path. I remember when we first met in Las Vegas for SYTYCD and we were sitting on the stairs getting ready to audition, chatting about how nervous but hungry we were to get on the show and change the game. I knew from the beginning you would. You have inspired me since day one, as well as so many others around the world. YOU DID IT, BROTHER, YOU DID IT! YOU LEFT YOUR MARK ON THE WORLD AND ON PEOPLE’S HEARTS FOREVER! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, FRIEND."
Just months before his own death, Allen celebrated his 36th birthday with a heartfelt social media post in March. "Grateful to see another year… here’s to another trip around the ☀️ Thank you, GOD! 👶🏾🎂🎉🎁🤴🏾," he posted. He added, "To everyone who called, sent messages, left voicemails with your support and love: I SEE YOU. Know that I appreciate it immensely 💯❤️🔐." His gratitude for life shines through in those final words.