“So You Think You Can Dance” finalist Danny Tidwell died on Friday, according to his brother and fellow dancer Travis Wall. Tidwell was 35 years old.“Yesterday I lost a brother,” Wall wrote on
Instagram on Saturday. “And we all lost a gift. I’m not ready. But I never think I will be. Because I can’t believe this is real. I can’t believe you’re gone. You were more than my brother. You were my inspiration. I idolized you growing up. Wanted to dance just like you. Wanted to be you! I wish I could jump in your arms again like we used to when we were kids and onstage dancing.”Tidwell was the runner-up in the third season of “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2007, when he was 22. Wall danced in the season prior and was also a finalist.Also Read: Bobbie Battista, Former
CNN Anchor, Dies at 67Debbie Allen, who served as a judge on Tidwell’s season, took to
Twitter to pay tribute to the late dancer, calling him a “dancing genius” and a “prince amongst paupers.”Tidwell was born August 1, 1984 in Norfolk,
Virginia, and began dancing as a child, first focusing on jazz before changing to ballet. He had worked at various elite companies, including the
American Ballet Theatre, and he also performed the works of renowned choreographers like Allen, William Forsythe and Mia Michaels.Also Read: Lee Phillip Bell, 'Young and the Restless' and 'Bold and the Beautiful' Co-Creator, Dies at 91In 2005, he was featured in Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch and appeared on the cover, as well as in Pointe Magazine’s Top 10 VIP. After his run on “So You Think You Can Dance,” he performed during “American Idol’s” second annual “Idol Gives Back” charity event in 2008, and he also had his Broadway debut in 2009 as a cast member in “Memphis.”See Wall’s Instagram post below.View this post on Instagram My heart is broken. Yesterday I lost a brother . And we all lost a gift. I’m not ready. But I never think I will be. Because I can’t believe this is real. I can’t believe you’re gone. You were more than my brother. You were my inspiration. I idolized you growing up. Wanted to dance just like you. Wanted to be you! I wish I could jump in your arms again like we used to when we were kids and onstage dancing. We will all remember the joy and passion you brought to everyone you came in contact with through out your journey. A journey cut to short. You are a legend. And I love you so much Danny. Rest In Peace my brother. I can’t believe I’m even typing this . Please pray for my mom and my family during this difficult time. ????????????A post shared by Travis Wall (@traviswall) on Mar 7, 2020 at 9:14am PSTRead original story Danny Tidwell, ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Runner-Up, Dies at 35 At TheWrap