Dancer Donyelle Jones died on Tuesday, December 2, on the age of 46, following a decade-long battle with breast most cancers. The information was confirmed by her household in an announcement through which they praised the previous So You Suppose You Can Dance contestant as a “warrior.” Taking to her Instagram web page, they penned: “Immediately at 8:34am, Donyelle Denise Wilson transitioned. A spouse. A daughter. A sister. A buddy. And a warrior who kicked most cancers’s ass each single day she was right here. Her spirit by no means dimmed. Her coronary heart by no means hardened. And even within the storm, she by no means misplaced her smile.” Her unique breast most cancers analysis got here practically 10 years earlier than her demise and he or she underwent a double mastectomy and relentless rounds of chemotherapy.
Donyelle first discovered fame on the Cat Deeley-hosted expertise present So You Suppose You Can Dance in 2006, coming in third place behind runner-up Travis Wall and winner Benji Schwimmer. Throughout her profession, she additionally branched out into films, showing in the 2022 Christmas musical film Spirited, reverse Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. She additionally had a task within the 2005 film Be Cool, that includes John Travolta and Uma Thurman.
Donyelle appeared to be conscious she was nearing the tip of her life, and only a week in the past, she posted a video to her Instagram, which she poignantly captioned “The Legacy Assertion.”
At this stage, she was in a hospice and propped up on pillows, and with an oxygen tube in her nostril, she spoke to the digital camera. “It has come to the purpose the place I’ve began to get my affairs so as. Most of you guys know, at this level, I’m in hospice. I’ve performed all the pieces attainable to increase my time right here on this dimension, and, at this level, I’ve surrendered to no matter God’s will is.
“And if God’s will is that he heals my liver, which isn’t functioning and never making me in a position to eat, and I get that miraculous therapeutic, and I’m audacious sufficient to imagine that he can do it — however I’m additionally cognizant sufficient to know that I’ve acquired 10 years of miracles.”
“What else can I probably ask for, however for his discernment on when it’s his time for me to have my time on this facet come to an finish? she mentioned earlier than thanking everybody who had helped her on her most cancers journey, emphasising the significance of specializing in neighborhood and household. “No one does something alone,” she mentioned.
Tributes flooded in for the star because the information turned public. This IS Us star Chrissy Metz wrote: “Could your transition be full of affection and lightweight simply as you had been right here on this earth. Relaxation excessive on that mountain, Donyelle.”
“She was and IS the most effective of us. One in all one. We love you @donyelledenise8! Thanks for displaying us tips on how to stay and struggle and love! We’ll see you on the opposite facet. I would be the one dancing in the direction of you. Me and my two left toes!” a buddy wrote within the feedback under the announcement of her demise.
“Spirit NEVER dimmed. Been eager about her each day since her final video. Sending a lot like to her household,” one other added. One other particular person chimed in: “Donny, you might be watching over us all similar to you probably did on earth. You might be an angel now and endlessly. You left this world a lot brighter. I really like you.”
In the meantime, one other fan praised: “Your artistry and love of dance will probably be carried on by these of us who had been so fortunate to have labored alongside you and the various college students you skilled. Relaxation assured, not solely will you be remembered, however you might be enshrined into the L.A. dance neighborhood and approach past! Now go kickball change with Doug Caldwell and Gregg Burge.”
