‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Winner Dies Mysteriously At Age 36

“So You Think You Can Dance” Season 4 winner Joshua Allen died Sept. 30 at the age of 36.

A family member confirmed his death to TMZ but declined to provide details about the cause or the circumstances surrounding his passing. Allen’s relative asked for “privacy and prayers” during this challenging time. Longtime friend and fellow member of the dancing word, Emmanuel Hurd, told the outlet he was shocked to hear the news and remembers Allen as “a very honest, real person” who was forthcoming about his own shortcomings.

“He didn’t always do things the way that everybody thought he should, but that’s why he was a winner,” Hurd said.

HOLLYWOOD – NOVEMBER 29: “So You Think You Can Dance” dancers Joshua Allen (L) and Katee Shean onstage at the Dizzy Feet Foundation’s Inaugural Celebration of Dance at The Kodak Theater on November 29, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Dizzy Feet Foundation)

Allen became famous in 2008 with his big win on the competitive dance show, and later revealed that he had never had technical training as a child to Entertainment Weekly. He threw himself into as many dance classes as he could after making it through several auditions for “So You Think You Can Dance.” The late Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss was the runner up on his show, and the two went on to start a friendship.

Allen had aspirations to become a recording artist, and also expressed interest in owning a studio company and forging a path as a choreographer and producer.

The talented dancer wound up facing legal issues in Los Angeles in 2016 when he was charged with domestic violence. He was sentenced to a year behind bars along with probation in 2017, according to Deadline. (RELATED: ‘The Pink Panther’ Actress Claudia Cardinale Dead At 87)

Fans are paying tribute to Allen on social media as news of his untimely passing begins to spread.