“Country Ever After” alum Criscilla Anderson passed away at age 45, her dear friend Lindsey announced via social media.
“My heart is shattered to share this. 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,” Lindsey wrote alongside a series of photos of Anderson. “Being by her side until the very end was the greatest honor of my life.”
Criscilla Anderson Battled Colon Cancer
Anderson had been battling colon cancer since her 2018 diagnosis.
In a recent update, Lindsey revealed, “After 7 years of fighting, she continues to show up with grit, grace, and a strength most will never fully understand.”
“About a month ago she entered a liquid radiation trial — her 6th since diagnosis — and this one was truly a ‘Hail Mary,'” she shared on November 10. “Some days she felt fine, others were absolutely brutal… On Wednesday morning her oncologist called and requested she go to the ER immediately. Earlier that morning, before falling back asleep, she messaged her doctor saying she had numbness in her legs. Fast forward 72 hours… she went into surgery and they drained two soda cans worth of fluid from around her heart.”
Lindsey continued, “She is still here. She is still fighting. And we are believing for more time, more healing, and more moments ahead. Right now she needs deep rest.”
GettyCriscilla’s ex-husband, country singer Coffey Anderson—with whom she starred on the Netflix reality series “Country Ever After”—shared a touching tribute to his late ex.
“Criscilla defined strength and fighter like no other person on the planet. Heaven gained a star today,” he shared via Instagram with a broken heart emoji on Tuesday, December 2. “We miss you already. Our hearts are shattered. Our minds are jumbled. Our lives will never be the same. The house is quieter because you’re missing. The babies are resilient and strong as ever. We did good with them.”
The former couple welcomed three children during their relationship: Daughters Emmarie Grace-Gloria and Everleigh, and son Ethan.
Criscilla Anderson Had a Storied Career
In addition to starring in Netflix’s “Country Ever After,” Anderson was a professional dancer, having toured and performed with major artists including Rihanna, Britney Spears, and Snoop Dogg.
She was later featured as a choreographer for Netflix’s docuseries “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.”
Last year, Anderson performed at the ACM Awards with beloved country music icon Dolly Parton.
