In Memoriam : Stephen “tWitch” Boss (1982 – 2022)

DJ, dancer and producer tWitch, whose real name is Stephen Boss, has died. He was 40.

tWitch dead at 40

According to various outlets, tWitch has died from an apparent suicide. Two days prior to his death, the entertainer was on TikTok dancing with his wife Allison Holker and daughter.

Holker confirmed her husband’s death in an exclusive statement to People: “Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans,” she said.

“To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt,” she continued. “I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honor his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children.”

Career

Boss appeared on five seasons of “So You Think You Can Dance?” and one season of “Dancing with the Stars.” He was also the resident DJ on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” which he joined in 2014.

In 2020, he became co-executive producer of the show. When the show ended earlier this year, DeGeneres paid homage to Boss. “Over a decade ago, I met someone who changed my life and our show,” DeGeneres said. “I’m talking about you, tWitch.” She then played a video montage highlighting his time on the show.

On Wednesday, DeGeneres shared a message about Boss on the show’s Instagram account. “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,” she wrote, sharing a photo of them hugging. “Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.”

Boss has also appeared in several movies, many of them dance-focused, such as “Hairspray,” “Stomp the Yard 2,” “Magic Mike XXL” and several installments of the “Step Up” series.

This year, Boss and Holker starred alongside each other in the TV holiday special, “The Hip Hop Nutcracker,” playing parents.

Boss and his wife are both dancers who appeared on the competition series “So You Think You Can Dance?” and “Dancing with the Stars.” The couple married in 2013 and marked their ninth wedding anniversary this week. They share three children.

Rest in peace.