by Stephanie SoteriouBuzzFeedBuzzFeed Staff Alfonso Ribeiro is being defended after his decision to share his emotional final photo with James Van Der Beek sparked backlash online. Kristina Bumphrey / Getty Images On Wednesday, James's wife, Kimberly, took to Instagram to confirm news reports that James had died less than three years after he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Jc Olivera / Getty Images "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace," she wrote. "There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time. Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend." C Flanigan / Getty Images In addition to Kimberly, James is survived by six children aged between 15 and 4 years old. Instagram @vanderjames / Via Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/vanderjames/p/C41mk_It_sn/?hl=en&img_index=1 The star was best known for playing the titular character in the beloved TV show Dawson's Creek, which aired between 1998 and 2003. He revealed his 2023 cancer diagnosis in 2024, and told NBC in December 2025: "It's been the wildest, hardest journey I've ever had in this lifetime. It's required more patience, more discipline, more strength than I knew I had, quite frankly." Getty Images / Getty Images Needless to say, since news of his death broke, people have rushed to social media to pay tribute to James, with his fans and fellow celebrities united in their grief. Among them was Alfonso, who was close friends with James, and even godfather to his 7-year-old daughter Gwendolyn. Warner Bros. Tv / Getty Images Sharing a photo of himself and James smiling while enjoying a meal together shortly after news of his death broke, Alfonso wrote: "I'm so broken right now with the passing of my friend @vanderjames today. He was my true friend brother and life guide. I was with him through this horrible journey to beat cancer. His family and friends went on this roller coaster ride. The highs when it looked like he had it beat to the breaking lows of it coming back." View this photo on Instagram Instagram @therealalfonsoribeiro / Via instagram.com "I've learned so much from james. He and @vanderkimberly changed my life. I will forever be in debt for all they've given me and my family," he went on. "He will live forever in my heart. I will always be there for their children. I will always hold my role as Gwen's Goddie daddy as one of the most important roles of my life. I love you James and I know I have a guardian angel watching over me. Being able to say goodbye this weekend will always live with me. RIP my brother. RIP." Instagram @therealalfonsoribeiro / Via instagram.com Then, on Thursday, Alfonso returned to his Instagram page to share another photo with James - telling followers that this one was taken just before he said his "last goodbye." In this photo, James is lying in a bed with his eyes closed, and Alfonso is cradling his head and visibly emotional. View this photo on Instagram Instagram @therealalfonsoribeiro / Via Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/therealalfonsoribeiro/p/DUquz8ykup7/?hl=en Alfonso captioned this photo: "This was taken by @vanderkimberly just a few minutes before I said my last goodbye. My last moment was making him laugh one last time. I really miss him already." Instagram @therealalfonsoribeiro / Via Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/therealalfonsoribeiro/p/DUquz8ykup7/?hl=en However, the intimacy of this photo has divided people, with some finding the image a beautiful display of love that highlights the reality of death, while others have argued that it should have been kept private. Dancing with the Stars pro Emma Slater was among the people to praise it, commenting on the post: "💔💔💔 This picture it's beautiful. I'm so glad you got to go see him 🕊️" Kristin Chenoweth added: "A beautiful picture and moment. 🕊️🙏❤️" Michael Tullberg / Getty Images "This tenderness and love is both heartbreaking and heartmaking at the same time. Thank you for sharing this sacred moment with us," somebody else wrote. Others praised Alfonso for sharing the reality of death, with one comment reading: "Sharing this is so powerful for families who have journeyed this heartbreaking road as well. People only see what television and movies portray. Thank you for sharing this honest moment💞 Praying for all who loved him ~ especially his beautiful wife and children." Instagram @vanderjames / Via Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/vanderjames/reel/DTjOhl4jl_f/?hl=en But others questioned Alfonso's decision to publicize the image, with one person writing: "I feel like this would have been better to keep private. It is a very personal moment." Somebody else echoed: "From my point of view that kind of (private) moment shouldn't be post...
But, I understand the loss & grief🖤" Deadline / Getty Images This sentiment was widely echoed over