Donyelle Denise Wilson, a fan favorite from the hit TV show “So You Think You Can Dance,” died on December 2, 2025. She was 46 years old. Wilson, who went by the name Donyelle Jones during her time on the show, had been fighting breast cancer for almost 10 years.
Her family shared the news on her Instagram page, where she had been posting updates about her health for years. The post said Wilson was “A wife. A daughter. A sister. A friend. And a warrior who kicked cancer’s a** every single day she was here.'” The message added that her spirit never dimmed and she never lost her smile, even during the most challenging times.
Wilson first learned she had cancer in 2016. Doctors found Stage 3C breast cancer, which later spread and became Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Despite being very sick, Wilson kept dancing and working throughout her treatment.
She became famous in 2006 when she competed on Season 2 of “So You Think You Can Dance.” Wilson was known for her hip-hop and jazz dancing skills. She placed third in the competition, finishing behind winner Benji Schwimmer and runner-up Travis Wall. Her performances on the show made her a household name and launched her professional dancing career. Schwimmer, who was Wilson’s dance partner during the competition, posted a tribute after her death. He shared that he had a dream where he danced with her again, and she was free from pain.
After the show, Wilson continued working as a professional dancer. She appeared in the Ryan Reynolds movie “Spirited” and danced in Missy Elliott’s music video for “Pass That Dutch.” Wilson also got to dance for pop star Janet Jackson. What made this job even more special was that she landed the position just three months after finishing a round of chemotherapy. Her cousin, singer-songwriter Shanice, called Wilson “the strongest human being” on this planet. Actress Yvette Nicole Brown praised Wilson for showing everyone how to live, fight, love, and dance despite her terminal illness.
Wilson was married to Tahir Wilson for 13 years. She had close friendships with other dancers from “So You Think You Can Dance,” including Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who died in 2022. She also took part in Kanye West’s Sunday Service events in 2019, where she found comfort in worship as she dealt with her illness.
Earlier in 2025, Wilson went back to teaching dance classes. She said it was a birthday gift to herself. But in the weeks before she died, Wilson shared videos showing how sick she had become. She told her followers she had started getting her affairs in order and had “surrendered to whatever God’s will is” as her liver was failing. She entered hospice care during her final days. In one of her last posts, Wilson shared that she had done everything she could to extend her time. She also left an important message for her followers, asking them to return to the community and family. Her words emphasized how much she valued the people in her life.
Wilson’s death comes about two months after another “So You Think You Can Dance” star passed away. Joshua Allen, who won Season 4 of the show, also died recently. Throughout her cancer battle, Wilson remained open with her fans about what she was going through. She posted regularly on social media, sharing both the difficult moments and the victories. Her honesty helped many others facing similar health challenges.
Wilson’s time on “So You Think You Can Dance” happened during the show’s early years, when it was becoming a cultural phenomenon. Her hip-hop and jazz performances stood out and helped define the show’s style. The competition launched her into the national spotlight and opened doors for her professional career. Wilson died at 8:34 a.m. on December 2, 2025. She leaves behind her husband, family, friends, and countless fans who admired her talent and strength.