Criscilla Crossland Anderson, the choreographer and Netflix reality star known for her role in “Country Ever After,” died Dec. 2 at age 45 following a seven-year battle with colon cancer. Her death was announced through a posthumous message she wrote before her passing, shared on Instagram by her friend and photographer Lindsey Villatoro on Dec. 3.
Anderson was initially diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2018, receiving a prognosis that gave her approximately two years to live. Despite the grim outlook, she fought through intensive treatment and was declared cancer-free in 2021. However, the disease returned in late 2022, eventually spreading to her lymph nodes and brain. In her final days, Anderson suffered a stroke and was admitted to the hospital with cancerous fluid around her heart, requiring surgery to drain the fluid.
In the message prepared before her death, Anderson wrote with characteristic faith and strength. “If you’re reading this, I’ve finally slipped into the arms of Jesus — peacefully and surrounded by love,” she shared. “Please don’t stay in the darkness of this moment. I fought hard and I loved deeply. I am not gone… I’m Home.”
The hip-hop dancer and choreographer left behind four children: son Ethan, 14, and daughters Emmarie, 12, and Everleigh, 9, whom she shared with country musician Coffey Anderson, as well as stepdaughter Savannah, 17, from Coffey’s previous relationship. In her final message, Anderson addressed each child individually, calling them her whole heart.
She wrote to Ethan that he made her a mother and she remained beside him, cheering him on. To Savannah, she expressed gratitude for being a gift God knew she needed. She encouraged Emmarie, whom she described as her Jesus-loving dancer, to keep dancing through every season. And to Everleigh, her bright spark, she urged her to chase her dreams boldly and without fear. Anderson assured her children that when a moment feels warm, familiar, or too beautiful to be coincidence, that would be her presence still mothering them.
Coffey Anderson, who married Criscilla in 2009 and filed for divorce in 2022, posted his own tribute on Instagram the day of her death. He wrote that Criscilla defined strength and fighter like no other person on the planet, noting that heaven gained a star. The divorce was still in progress at the time of her death.
The country musician acknowledged the profound impact of the loss on their family. He described their hearts as shattered and their minds as jumbled, recognizing that their lives would never be the same and the house was quieter because she was missing. Yet he noted the resilience and strength of their children, writing that they did good with them. His tribute also mentioned two babies the couple lost, expressing gladness that Criscilla would meet them in heaven.
Anderson built a notable career in the entertainment industry before her reality television fame. She performed as a hip-hop dancer with major artists including Britney Spears, Rihanna and Snoop Dogg. She worked as a choreographer for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and appeared in the Netflix docuseries about the team. In 2024, she returned to the organization as a judge at their tryouts, demonstrating her continued connection to the dance community despite her ongoing health challenges.
The 2020 Netflix series “Country Ever After” documented Anderson’s life with Coffey and their family, including her cancer battle and how their Christian faith helped them cope with the diagnosis. The show offered viewers an intimate look at their family dynamics, career goals, and the strength Anderson displayed throughout her treatment. The couple’s willingness to share their journey publicly helped raise awareness about colon cancer and the realities of living with a stage four diagnosis.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Lindsey Villatoro expressed her heartbreak at announcing the news. She wrote that she promised Criscilla she would walk the journey with her whenever she couldn’t stand on her own two feet, and being by her side until the very end was the greatest honor of her life. Anderson’s final message thanked Lindsey for capturing her life beautifully year after year through photography.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization also paid tribute to Anderson on Instagram, remembering her as a dear friend whose artistry, passion and strength inspired many in their family. They noted that the spirit, talent and heart she shared would never be forgotten.
Anderson’s battle with cancer spanned years of treatment, remission, recurrence and ultimate metastasis to multiple areas of her body. Her legs went numb before her final hospital admission, and she experienced complications including the stroke and fluid accumulation around her heart. Despite these challenges, she maintained her focus on her children and her faith.