The Country Ever After star Criscilla Anderson has died aged 45, after she was diagnosed with colon cancer seven years ago.
News of Anderson’s death was confirmed via her Instagram, in a post which included a statement she had written prior to dying.
It read: ‘If you’re reading this, I’ve finally slipped into the arms of Jesus — peacefully and surrounded by love.
‘Please don’t stay in the darkness of this moment. I fought hard and I loved deeply. I am not gone… I’m Home.’
Anderson’s pre-written message continued: ‘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.’
She signed off with a request: ‘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.
— Criscilla.’
The professional hip-hop dancer had three children with country star, Coffey Anderson. They met through mutual friends at a church, and started dating in 2008.
They married in 2009, before Coffey filed for divorce in 2022.
Together they had two girls and one boy Emmarie, Everleigh and Ethan. Anderson was also the stepmother to her partner’s daughter, Savannah.
Their reality TV show followed the pair as they raised their children together and navigated their opposing perspectives on life, defined as country vs city. It showed Anderson as she went through her cancer treatment.
Anderson’s career had seen her dance with stars like Britney Spears, Rihanna and Snoop Dogg. She worked as a choreographer for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, appearing in their Netflix show too.
The performer was first diagnosed in 2018, according to People. In 2019, she was told it was stage four, and had spread throughout her para-aortic region, growing up her back.
She told the Daily Mail at the time: ‘My first thought was that I have three babies that need their mom. It was the darkest day of my life.’
Coffey posted a tribute to Anderson on Instagram. It read: ‘Criscilla defined strength and fighter like no other person on the planet. Heaven gained a star today.’
He finished, writing: ‘I’m glad you get to meet the two babies we lost…
‘I love you more.’
