The So You Think You Can Dance fandom was rocked by devastating news on October 1 when TMZ first reported the death of season 4 winner Joshua Allen at age 36.
His family confirmed later that day that Allen was struck and killed by a train near his home in Texas.
“[Allen] carried his struggles, he was an incredible talent and a huge part of my life. We didn’t speak all the time, we didn’t have to but when we did we’d pick up right where we left off because we were fam,” Allen’s season 4 costar Courtney Platt wrote via Instagram after the news broke. “Our connection runs deep and always will [forever]. I’ll hold onto the artistry he brought into the world, the epic experiences we had together and the beautiful, hilarious, sometimes tough, rare, life-changing memories we shared.”
Platt, 37, finished in fourth place on their season, which aired in 2008. Allen defeated Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss in the final. (Boss died by suicide in December 2022 at age 40.)
As more details emerge about his death, keep scrolling for everything to know:
Who Was Joshua Allen?
Allen was a professional dancer who rose to fame with his winning performance on season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance.
“I took a few modern dance classes, ballet classes, because I felt that to be a better dancer I would have to take different classes, and, you know, expand my horizons in the art of dance,” he told Entertainment Weekly in 2008 after his victory. “I didn’t want to audition for the show not knowing anything. Dallas was [early in the audition process], and after I made it to Vegas — there were months before we actually went — I took as many classes as I could.”
Allen kept performing after his time on the show ended, earning credits in Freak Dance, Step Up 3D, the 2011 remake of Footloose, an episode of American Horror Story and Undateable. He was also a teacher, popping up routinely at national conventions where he would share his experience and routines with aspiring dancers.
When Did He Die?
Police in Fort Worth, Texas were called to the scene of a railroad crossing incident early in the morning on September 30, 2025, according to a police report obtained by Us Weekly. They found an unconscious and injured male, later identified as Allen, at the scene.
Allen was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth where he was pronounced dead.
How Did Joshua Allen Die?
Allen’s parents confirmed on October 1 that he was struck and killed by a train.
The police report states that the train’s conductors spotted Allen walking along the tracks, toward the train, from approximately 200 feet away. They were unable to stop the train before it struck him.
Has ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Made a Statement About Allen’s Death?
So You Think You Can Dance posted a statement via X on October 6 alongside a photo of Allen celebrating his win.
“Joshua Allen brought fire, heart, and soul to every performance,” the statement read. “His legacy will forever live on in the dance world and in our hearts. Rest easy ❤️ #SYTYCD”
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