So You Think You Can Dance finalist Donyelle Jones, also known as Donyelle Dense Wilson, has died at the age of 46.
The news was announced via her Instagram account on Tuesday, December 2, as a text image informed her almost 34,000 followers. “Today at 8:34am, Donyelle Denise Wilson, transitioned. A wife. A daughter. A sister. A friend. And a warrior who kicked cancer’s ass every single day she was here. Her spirit never dimmed. Her heart never hardened. And even in the storm, she never lost her smile. GIWMA,” the post read.
Jones, a hip-hop and jazz dancer, appeared in season 2 of reality dancing series SYTYCD, which aired in 2006, where she finished the competition in third place as Benji Schwimmer won the season and Travis Wall was placed runner-up.
Her death comes almost ten years after she was diagnosed with Stage 3C breast cancer, which later evolved into Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, per a report by People.
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Just one week prior to the Instagram announcement, a video of Jones seated in a chair with tubes inside her nostrils was shared with fans. “Hi everyone, Donyelle Denise here. It has come to the point where I have started to get my affairs in order. Most of you guys know, at this point, I am in hospice and I have done everything possible to extend my time here in this dimension. At this point I have surrendered to whatever God’s will is,” she said.
The video also detailed that her liver had “stopped functioning” all while she remained open to a “miraculous healing.”
She told fans with a smile, “I’m audacious. And I have to believe that you can do it but I’m also cognizant enough to know that I’ve received ten years of miracles. What else can I possibly ask for?” Jones captioned the heartbreaking video, “The Legacy Statement.”
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Earlier Instagram posts captured her fighting spirit, including an October 18 video, filmed at the 2024 Gala of the Stars benefit staged in Beverly Hills, California, which detailed how she landed a role dancing for Janet Jackson. “All the dancers in the room, you know what it’s like, after you haven’t danced for a few weeks or a few months, imagine not dancing for a year … on top of that, cancer treatment,” she said during her speech at the event. “I had the great idea to audition for Janet Jackson. And I booked the job. This was three months post chemo treatment.”
Singer-songwriter Shanice addressed Jones’ death via her Instagram account just after the announcement went live. “My heart is completely broken. My cousin @donyelledenise8 fought stage 4 breast cancer for 10 years. She passed this morning. She was the strongest human being on this planet. She suffered towards the end so as bad as I want her here I’m glad she’s not in pain anymore. Love you cousin. Rest In Peace,” she wrote.
Jones’ fans and past collaborators also took to the announcement’s comments section to share touching tributes. “Fly high SuperStar. You were a gift to the gift. Grateful I got to dance next to you and feel that incredible power,” read one of many.
