Donyelle Jones, ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ finalist, dies of cancer at 46

“So You Think You Can Dance” Season 2 finalist Donyelle Jones has died. She was 46.

Jones battled breast cancer for nearly ten years.

“Today at 8:34am, Donyelle Denise Wilson, transitioned,” read a statement shared Tuesday on her official Instagram page.

“A wife. A daughter. A sister. A friend,” the statement continued. “And a warrior who kicked cancer’s ass every single day she was here.”

The message added, “Her spirit never dimmed. Her heart never hardened. And even in the storm, she never lost her smile. #GIWMA.”

Jones came in third place on “SYTYCD” Season 2 in 2006, behind runner-up Travis Wall and winner Benji Schwimmer.

Schwimmer, 41, reacted to Jones’ death with an Instagram post that featured archival footage from their time on the reality dance competition show, as well as a video message where he spoke about their bond.

“This morning, I woke up from a dream with tears in my eyes, and there weren’t tears of sorrow or pain, but they were tears of joy,” Schwimmer told his followers.

“I was on a stage like a darkened, ethereal stage, and there was a big misty spotlight, kind of shining, and in the background, out of nowhere, my dance partner and friend, Donyelle, came out, and she was dressed so beautifully,” the choreographer continued.

Schwimmer also revealed that he saw Jones for the final time last week “and was so happy to be with her.”

“Here we were dancing out of nowhere a week later, and I was crying tears of joy because she wasn’t in pain, and she was healthy, and she was moving and laughing with me,” he shared. “And, just as I was enjoying this moment and moving with her, the dream ended, I woke up at 8:40 a.m. this morning, only to find out that Donyelle had passed away at 8:34 a.m.”

“Every memory that I have of her, she has that same ethereal glow,” Schwimmer added, “and I just wanted to express my gratitude, my condolences for her family.”

Jones was diagnosed with Stage 3C breast cancer in 2016, which later progressed to Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

The hip-hop/jazz dancer chronicled her cancer journey on her Instagram. One week before her death, she gave an update on her health after entering hospice.

“Hi everyone, Donyelle Denise here. It has come to the point where I have started to get my affairs in order,” she stated in a video where she sat in a chair with tubes inside her nostrils. “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.”

Jones revealed that her liver “stopped functioning” and she couldn’t eat anymore, but she stayed optimistic about her chances of survival.

“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,” Jones continued. “What else can I possibly ask for?”

“If this is my last post, I guess the thoughts that I would wanna leave with you all… get back to community,” the dancer added. “Get back to family.”