Found family. Allison Holker is receiving support from all corners of the professional dance world after the death of her husband, Stephen “tWitch” Boss.
Us Weekly confirmed on Wednesday, December 14, that the former Ellen DeGeneres Show DJ died at age 40 in Los Angeles one day prior. His death was reported a suicide. Holker, 34, addressed the heartbreaking loss in a statement, remembering Boss as “an inspiration to his fans” and a loving partner.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us. 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,” she told People on Wednesday. “He was the backbone of our family. … To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt.”
The former Dancing With the Stars pro 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. Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”
Holker and Boss tied the knot in December 2013 after connecting during season 7 of So You Think You Can Dance three years prior. Following their wedding, the Step Up 3D actor adopted his wife’s daughter from a previous relationship, Weslie, now 14. The couple went on to welcome son Maddox and daughter Zaia in 2016 and 2019, respectively.
As news broke of Boss’ death, DWTS pros and past contestants reached out to Holker with their condolences. “This is not possible. I am absolutely lost for any words or comprehension. Heartbreaking,” Val Chmerkovskiy tweeted on Wednesday.
Sharna Burgess, who faced off against Holker on seasons 19, 20, 21 and 23 of DWTS, left a supportive comment on the Minnesota native’s most recent Instagram video. Holker uploaded footage of herself and her husband performing a “HOLIDAY SUNDAY FUNDAY DANCE” at home on Sunday, December 11.
“It truly doesn’t seem real. We are sending you and your babies so much love and please let us know how we can best support you. I’m so sorry Allison ?,” Burgess, 37, wrote in the comments section.
Both Holker and Boss returned to SYTYCD as All Stars after competing as individuals on seasons 2 and 4, respectively, of the Fox series. The Stomp the Yard: Homecoming actor initially auditioned for season 3 in 2007 but was cut before the Top 20. He ended his season 4 run in second place.
Holker, meanwhile, was a contestant in 2006 and performed with rising SYTYCD hopefuls on seasons 7 through 11 and 14. In July 2020, she exclusively told Us how dance became the cornerstone of her relationship with Boss.
“We always end up smiling and laughing with each other during it,” Holker gushed. “No matter what’s happening in the day, we know we can check in with each other and dance and it kind of makes everything go away and it’s so much better.”
Scroll down to see how DWTS pros and fellow SYTYCD alums are rallying around Holker:
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock
‘DWTS’ Pros and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Alums Rally Around Allison Holker After Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’ Death: ‘Doesn’t Seem Real’
Found family. Allison Holker is receiving support from all corners of the professional dance world after the death of her husband, Stephen “tWitch” Boss.
Us Weekly confirmed on Wednesday, December 14, that the former Ellen DeGeneres Show DJ died at age 40 in Los Angeles one day prior. His death was reported a suicide. Holker, 34, addressed the heartbreaking loss in a statement, remembering Boss as “an inspiration to his fans” and a loving partner.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us. 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,” she told People on Wednesday. “He was the backbone of our family. … To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt.”
The former Dancing With the Stars pro 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. Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”
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Holker and Boss tied the knot in December 2013 after connecting during season 7 of So You Think You Can Dance three years prior. Following their wedding, the Step Up 3D actor adopted his wife’s daughter from a previous relationship, Weslie, now 14. The couple went on to welcome son Maddox and daughter Zaia in 2016 and 2019, respectively.
As news broke of Boss’ death, DWTS pros and past contestants reached out to Holker with their condolences. “This is not possible. I am absolutely lost for any words or comprehension. Heartbreaking,” Val Chmerkovskiy tweeted on Wednesday.
Sharna Burgess, who faced off against Holker on seasons 19, 20, 21 and 23 of DWTS, left a supportive comment on the Minnesota native’s most recent Instagram video. Holker uploaded footage of herself and her husband performing a “HOLIDAY SUNDAY FUNDAY DANCE” at home on Sunday, December 11.
“It truly doesn’t seem real. We are sending you and your babies so much love and please let us know how we can best support you. I’m so sorry Allison ?,” Burgess, 37, wrote in the comments section.
Both Holker and Boss returned to SYTYCD as All Stars after competing as individuals on seasons 2 and 4, respectively, of the Fox series. The Stomp the Yard: Homecoming actor initially auditioned for season 3 in 2007 but was cut before the Top 20. He ended his season 4 run in second place.
Holker, meanwhile, was a contestant in 2006 and performed with rising SYTYCD hopefuls on seasons 7 through 11 and 14. In July 2020, she exclusively told Us how dance became the cornerstone of her relationship with Boss.
“We always end up smiling and laughing with each other during it,” Holker gushed. “No matter what’s happening in the day, we know we can check in with each other and dance and it kind of makes everything go away and it’s so much better.”
Scroll down to see how DWTS pros and fellow SYTYCD alums are rallying around Holker:
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Credit: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Mary Murphy
“I have my national dance championship here in Las Vegas … I saw an urgent message from one of my girlfriends. She kept saying to me over and over again, ‘I don’t want to be the one to tell you,’” the SYTYCD judge recalled to Extra of the moment she learned her friend had died. “I said, ‘For God’s sake, would you just tell me?’ She said, ‘tWitch is dead.’ I just fell to the ground.”
Murphy added: “I went behind a dress vendor and I just curled up in a ball and started bawling. A dancer came around the corner and picked me up, just hugged me, and I went to my room.”
The dance professional revealed that “never in a million years” did she think she’d hear such terrible news about her former judge and longtime friend. “For all of us, he has been around the show for a long time. Now, of course we are just, just absolutely flabbergasted and in shock,” she concluded. “All my experiences with him have never been [anything] more than joy, laughter, kidding around, hugs.”
Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Val Chmerkovskiy
The two-time DWTS champ shared a lengthy tribute via Instagram on Wednesday. “To a man that had touched so many with his beautiful spirit and infectious smile. Rest in peace my friend, I hope you finally found it,” he captioned a clip of Boss. “You were an example for me and so many of us trying to make our little fifteen minutes [of fame] into a two hour special in this strange and at times brutal world of entertainment. You were the example not solely because of the success you had but the grace with which you carried it. You did it without stepping over anyone without switching up or selling out.”
He concluded: “You will be dearly missed, you will be ferociously celebrated for years to come, and I just hope you knew how much you were loved before you went. The ones that smile the brightest may be the ones that hurt the most. I can’t believe I’m writing this. #RIPStephenBoss #RIPtWitch.”
Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock
Cheryl Burke
“My heart breaks for @sir_twitch_alot, @allisonholker and their beautiful family,” the DWTS pro, who recently announced her retirement from the show, wrote via Instagram. “Twitch, thank you for representing the dance world with such positivity and grace but more importantly, as a human being, thank you for being so joyful, inspirational, and for always putting a smile on my face. May your soul rest in peace my friend. ?.”
Credit: Pacific Press/Shutterstock
Ricky Ubeda
The season 11 SYTYCD champ, who went on to star in 2021’s West Side Story, reposted a recent photo of Boss via his Instagram Story. “We honor you ?,” Ubeda wrote.
Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Maddie Ziegler
“This can’t be real. allison i’m sending you and your beautiful children so much love. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,” the Dance Moms alum, who judged So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation in 2016, commented on Holker’s video.
Credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock
Jenna Johnson
The SYTYCD season 10 alum shared a video of Boss dancing via her Instagram Story. “May you forever be dancing in heaven and wearing that smile that lit up the world ?,” she wrote.
Credit: Mediapunch/Shutterstock
Lindsay Arnold
“My heart is hurting hearing this news,” the ballroom pro wrote via her Instagram Story. “Absolutely devastating. My prayers and love go out to @allisonholker and the entire Boss family.”
Credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock
Derek Hough
The DWTS judge simply posted a broken heart emoji via his Instagram Story on Wednesday.
Credit: MediaPunch/Shutterstock
Carrie Ann Inaba
“Heart broken [sic] to wake up to the news that this beautiful soul is no longer in this world with us. ?️ He was a special one. A good man, a husband, an artist, a dancer, an entertainer, a bright light… He was extraordinary. He could do anything and he did it with a joy and grace and some swagger,” the longtime DWTS personality captioned an Instagram tribute. “Twitch, I’m at a loss… my heart seems to be frozen… like I don’t want to exhale, hoping that maybe if I don’t exhale, that someone will correct this horrible mistake. And all will be okay again. My prayers are joining with all the other prayers going out to @allisonholker and your family… sending them love and so much support. ??.”
Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Maks Chmerkovskiy
“I’m at a loss for words,” the Ukrainian dancer wrote via Instagram. “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.”
Maks continued: “Stephen ‘Twitch’ Boss was the only man I’ve met in the entire industry who was loved by absolutely everyone. This makes no sense at all… Rest easy my friend. ?.”
Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Witney Carson
“RIP my friend,” the Utah native, who competed on season 9 of SYTYCD, wrote via her Instagram Story. “Sending so much love and healing to @allisonholker and kids. There are no words. We love you.”
Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock
Sharna Burgess
The Aussie ballroom dancer commented on Holker’s Instagram video: “It truly doesn’t seem real. We are sending you and your babies so much love and please let us know how we can best support you. I’m so sorry Allison ?.”
Credit: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/Shutterstock
Alex Wong
“My heart is broken,” the SYTYCD All Star wrote in the comments section of Holker’s dance clip.
Credit: CraSH/imageSPACE/Shutterstock
Alan Bersten
“At a complete loss for words. Just shocked. 🙁 heartbroken,” the choreographer tweeted.
Credit: Arlene Richie/Shutterstock
Keo Motsepe
The South Africa native, who has performed on nine seasons of DWTS, tweeted several broken heart emojis.
Credit: Ron Adar/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
Melanie Moore
The season 8 SYTYCD winner reposted a photo of Boss via her Instagram Story, adding three heart emojis.
Credit: Ryan Miller/Shutterstock
Taylor Sieve
“Absolutely heartbreaking,” the season 14 SYTYCD alum commented on Holker’s Instagram post. “Sending love and prayers to you and your family Allison.”
Credit: Kristina Bumphrey/Shutterstock
Gaby Diaz
The season 12 SYTYCD champ shared a brief tribute via her Instagram Story, uploading a photo of Boss alongside a white heart emoji.
Credit: Michael Becker/FOX
Audrey Case
“Seriously can’t even fathom this news… you were the biggest light in this world, trying to grasp how,” the season 9 SYTYCD alum commented on Boss’ last Instagram post. “I’m so so sorry. Allison I’m praying so hard for you and all your family ❤️.”