A tragic death. Stephen “tWitch” Boss died by suicide on Tuesday (Dec. 13). The hip hop dancer’s cause of death was reported widely, but now the LAPD has confirmed it. The investigation into his death is now closed. Earlier, his beloved wife, Allison Holker sent out a statement Wednesday morning confirming his death.
The news shook the dance world to its core. Celebrities who worked with and/or admired tWitch sent their condolences on Wednesday via social media. Read a few of them below. All agreed that the dancer was kind and always positive. A light, if you will. That’s why those who knew him can’t believe that he’s gone.
So You Think You Can Dance producer Nigel Lythgoe discovered tWitch when he first auditioned for the show in 2007. In 2008, tWitch auditioned again and finished in second place. That began a long association with SYTYCD as an All-Star and judge. “It is unimaginable to me that “Twitch” is dead,” Nigel wrote. “This incredibly charismatic and talented young man who inspired so many people had so much to look forward too. It breaks my heart to think he was so depressed that he took his own life. Everyone I know that met him, loved him. My heart goes out to Allison and his close family. RIP my dear friend.”
Paula Abdul worked as a SYTYCD judge and undoubtedly knew tWitch from the dance world. “I’m devastated to hear the news about Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ passing,” Paula wrote. “tWitch greeted the world every day with a beautiful smile that was a direct reflection of his beautiful heart. He was a beacon of light and a true talent whose legacy and impact will live on in the dance community. Sending so much love and prayers to his beautiful wife Allison and their children. May he rest in peace”
Ellen DeGeneres met tWitch on SYTYCD where she served as a guest judge. In 2014 she hired him to be the Ellen Show DJ. He eventually became an executive producer of the show. “I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.”
Mary Murphy served as an SYTYCD judge alongside Nigel. “My heart is broken over the loss of Twitch !” Mary wrote. “This picture is from a rehearsal showing Twitch seeing his first audition and how shocked he was. He was a inspiration to millions of children and people every where ! I was a proud mama bear over every thing Twitch did. I’m proud for what he endured on #sytycd the way he kept coming back determined to make it then went onto be second that season . You were a light in my life and enjoyed minute we were together ! I love you to the moon and back ! I will miss you deeply and my love goes out to Allison and Maddox,Weslie and Zaia during their time of grief RIP Dear Twitch”
Cat Deeley has hosted every season of SYTYCD ““Love you much”….on camera, off camera and beyond…. sending love,” she wrote.
Dance Moms alum, JoJo Siwa, sat next to tWitch just this past summer on the So You Think You Can Dance judges panel. She also competed on Dancing with the Stars last year. “My heart is beyond broken,” JoJo wrote. “twitch was a best friend and a mentor not just to me but to SO many. I’ll never forget our time getting to work together on SYTYCD, he became such a light in my life. Someone I’ve looked up to since I was born turned one of my best friends. Twitch always had the best advice. We had SO many laughs, smiles, and even cries together. I know you’re in a better place now but man we are all gonna miss the hell outta you.”
Actress Leah Remini also served on the So You Think You Can Dance judges panel with JoJo and tWitch. “I am heartbroken by the news of the passing of tWitch. Although we had met many times at the Ellen Show, I got to know him better this summer when I joined the judge’s table on “So You Think You Can Dance,” Leah wrote. “tWitch was always so kind to me and everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes. tWitch was the guy who played and interacted with his fans in the audience during commercial breaks, and he encouraged all the contestants when the cameras weren’t rolling. He had such a passion and love for dance and guiding artists and the contestants on the show. “
American Idol alum Adam Lambert served as a judge on the E Entertainment Show, Clash of the Cover Bands, which tWitch hosted. “Shocked and saddened to hear the news of @official_tWitch death,” wrote Adam on Twitter. “Twitch was a warm, joyful, and loving person that I had the honor of working with on tv a bit. Always the most genuine and down to earth and humble energy. Sending his family my deepest sympathies. #RIPTwitch.”
Dancing with the Stars pro and judge, Derek Hough, knew tWitch through tWitch’s wife, a fellow pro dance. “My heart is aching for @allisonholker and their beautiful family during this time,” Derek writes. “My mind is clinging to memories of the dear friend we have all lost. When I think of twitch I think of Wisdom, Love, Light and Laughter. He brought joy to everyone he encountered and was an inspiration to all. It’s gonna take some time to fully process this. May you rest in peace my friend. We love you.”
Mia Michaels choreographed routines on So You Think You Can Dance for many seasons. “I have no words and I’m confused and saddened by the loss of this incredible man,” She wrote. “I had the great privilege to create multiple works on Twitch during my run with SYTYCD and getting to know him was a gift.Light , joy and love surrounded him always and it was contagious. Our connection was a special one.”
Choreographer Adam Shankman played many roles over the years on SYTYCD. He sat on the judges panel for several seasons. They also worked together on the Step Up movies. “@sir_twitch_alot here’s the last pic we took together…I loved seeing you the other night.” Adam wrote. “We have seen and been a part of so much together. If you swipe here’s a pic from #hairspray costume tests, etc….you were always so special. From that family, to our so you think you can dance family, to our step up family, to your own family.”
SYTYCD alum Alex Wong and tWitch did a memorable hip-hop routine on SYTYCD when Alex was a contestant and tWitch an all-star. “Stephen. It feels wrong to post, but it also feels wrong to not acknowledge you. I can’t ignore the pain I feel. I am in total shock. Every moment I sit here, the reality becomes more and more real and it hits me harder as I sit here in tears while I type this to you,” Alex wrote. “Stephen you were such a positive and kind person and your energy always lit up the room. I don’t even know what to say. From the moment I met you, you were always so caring and I’ve cherished the times we’ve spent together. I won’t forget our laughs on SYTYCD when we first met, 12 years ago, especially you walking me through every detail.”
Sharna Burgess is a Dancing with the Stars pro dancer. She writes, “I’ve written and deleted and repeated.. there just doesn’t seem to be the right words to say how today feels or to make it make sense. As it has been said by so many.. I never saw this coming. tWitch you are so loved and so deeply missed. Our community, our industry, the people that knew and loved you and those that were inspired from afar, everyone is feeling the loss of your light on this earth.”
Maksim Chmerkovskiy spent many years on the DWTS ballroom floor as a pro-dancer. “I’m at a loss for words…,” Maks writes. “I wrote few paragraphs and deleted everything because it’s all so irrelevant right now. I have so much to say, but I just want to hold on to the memories I have and not try to wrap my head around this. Stephen ‘Twitch’ Boss was the only man I’ve met in the entire industry who was loved by absolutely everyone.”
Country singer Jimmie Allen competed on Dancing with the Stars last year. “Stephen my brother, one the best people I’ve ever gotten to know. I gonna miss the laughs, the jokes, the honest conversations and these random videos,” Jimmie wrote. “I know i said it all the time but I’m so thankful for the friendship we had. We are gonna miss you. Thank you for the light you shined on me and other. Praying for Allison and the children.”
tWitch and Allison visited The Jennifer Hudson Show only 3 weeks ago to talk about their family and maybe having another child. The talk show is produced by Ellen’s former staff. If the show is still in production before the holidays, that set must be reeling. Jennifer Hudson wrote, “We need to pray ! My God ! U never know what someone is going through. This breaks my heart.”
