Joshua Allen’s Family Responds After Altercation at His Funeral

A physical altercation reportedly took place during the funeral service honoring So You Think You Can Dance alum Joshua Allen after his untimely passing.

Footage from the service, conducted in Texas and shared widely on social media, seemingly captured a fight between two women in attendance to pay their respects.

Speaking to TMZ on November 11, Allen’s father Eddie Powell revealed that the woman leaning over Allen’s casket was his girlfriend. Powell stated that Allen’s mother, Angela Tolbert, reportedly attacked the girlfriend, who had been granted permission to attend. (Other family members later informed TMZ that the confrontation involved Allen’s ex-girlfriend.)

“She was his heart,” Powell expressed about Allen’s partner. “She was trying to assist him in getting mental health help when the police intervened instead.”

Prior to the service, Allen’s loved ones organized a fundraising effort for his funeral costs through a GoFundMe campaign.

“Joshua’s death was unexpected and heartbreaking. To celebrate his life with the love, dignity, and care he deserves, we are raising funds for his ‘Homegoing’ — a four-part tribute including a wake, funeral, burial, and repass,” a statement on the GoFundMe page noted. “The funds collected will directly cover funeral and burial expenses.”

On October 1, it was reported that Allen — the winner of season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance in 2008 — had died at 36. A family member shared with TMZ that he was struck and killed by a train, reportedly succumbing to injuries in a hospital near his Texas residence on September 30.

“One of his last messages was to always keep God first,” the relative recalled. “You need to be honest with yourself before you can be honest with anyone else.”

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram confirmed that local authorities responded to a reporting of a man hit by a train near railroad tracks in south Fort Worth around 1 a.m. on September 30. Emergency responders located the victim and transported him to a medical facility.

A police report obtained by Us Weekly revealed that train conductors saw Allen walking along the tracks towards the train from about 200 feet away, but they could not halt the train in time to prevent the collision.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, an investigation into Allen’s death was initiated, and condolences began to surface from his So You Think You Can Dance family.

“Joshua Allen brought passion, heart, and spirit to every performance,” a statement shared on the reality show’s X account on October 6 declared. “His legacy will always endure in the dance community and in our hearts. Rest in peace ❤️ #SYTYCD.”

Allen’s season 4 co-star Courtney Platt also paid homage to the talented dancer.

“My heart is heavy… once again. He dealt with his struggles, he was an extraordinary artist and a significant part of my life. We may not have spoken often, but when we did, it felt as though we’d never been apart because we were family,” she shared on Instagram. “Our bond is profound and will remain so [forever]. I will cherish the artistry he contributed to the world, the unforgettable moments we shared together, and the beautiful, challenging, rare, life-altering memories we created.”

Allen gained fame by winning season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance, triumphing over runner-up Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who tragically took his own life in December 2022 at 40. Post-show, Allen continued dancing, featuring in Freak Dance, Step Up 3D, the 2011 remake of Footloose, and episodes of American Horror Story and Undateable. He also taught dance.