Criscilla Anderson, the hip-hop dancer and choreographer who starred in the Netflix reality series “Country Ever After,” died at 45 after a battle with colon cancer. Anderson announced her own death posthumously through a message shared on social media by her friend Lindsey Villatoro.
“If you’re reading this, I’ve finally slipped into the arms of Jesus — peacefully and surrounded by love,” Anderson wrote in her final statement posted December 2, 2025. “Please don’t stay in the darkness of this moment. I fought hard and I loved deeply. I am not gone… I’m Home.”
Villatoro expressed her grief in sharing the news. “My heart is shattered to share this,” she wrote. “I promised Criscilla I would walk this journey with her whenever she couldn’t stand on her own two feet, and I pray she knows how fiercely she was loved.”
Anderson’s death followed complications from colon cancer that had metastasized to her brain. The dancer suffered a stroke before her passing and had been hospitalized with cancerous fluid around her heart, requiring surgery to drain the fluid.
In her posthumous message, Anderson addressed her four children individually. She shared words for her son Ethan, daughters Emmarie and Everleigh, and stepdaughter Savannah from her ex-husband Coffey Anderson’s previous relationship. She wrote in the emotional farewell, “My babies… I am watching over you. When a moment feels warm, familiar, or too beautiful to be coincidence — that’s me. I’m still mothering you. I’m still yours.”
Coffey Anderson, a country music artist whom Criscilla married in 2009, shared his own tribute. The couple filed for divorce in 2022, with divorce proceedings ongoing at the time of her death.
Anderson was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2018. Her initial prognosis gave her a life expectancy of two years. She entered remission in 2021 but the cancer returned in 2022, presenting what would become an ongoing battle.
Before her entertainment career, Anderson established herself as a professional choreographer for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Her work in the entertainment industry included performances with high-profile artists including Britney Spears, Rihanna and Snoop Dogg.
Anderson and Coffey Anderson starred together in the Netflix series “Country Ever After” in 2020. The show documented their family life in Los Angeles while Criscilla underwent cancer treatment and continued her work as a dancer.
The couple shared three children: son Ethan, 14, and daughters Emmarie, 12, and Everleigh, 9. Anderson also helped raise Savannah, 17, referring to her as her “bonus girl” in her final message.
In her farewell statement, Anderson thanked her circle of friends and family for their support throughout her illness. She wrote about the women who held her when she couldn’t stand, and expressed gratitude to her family for loving her unconditionally, asking them to take care of one another.
Anderson expressed special gratitude to Villatoro for documenting her journey, thanking her friend for capturing her life beautifully year after year.
On November 15, Anderson revealed on social media that her initial prognosis had declared she had a life expectancy of two years. Despite the grim outlook, she continued fighting and advocating for cancer awareness throughout her battle.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization, where Anderson once worked as a choreographer, paid tribute to Criscilla Crossland Anderson. The squad acknowledged her contributions to their program and the lasting impact she made on those who worked with her.
Anderson’s posthumous message concluded with words of comfort for those mourning her loss. She wrote, “Be gentle with each other. Hold my children close. And remember: heaven isn’t as far away as it feels. I love you all. Always.”
Throughout her illness, Anderson maintained an active presence on social media, sharing updates about her treatment and connecting with supporters who followed her journey. Her openness about her battle with colon cancer helped raise awareness about the disease and the importance of early detection.
Anderson’s legacy extends beyond her work as a dancer and choreographer. Her courage in facing cancer publicly and her dedication to her children during her illness left a lasting impression on those who knew her and followed her story through “Country Ever After” and social media.
