It has been confirmed that Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who was the DJ on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, has passed away. He was 40 years old.
An actor from “Magic Mike XXL” and a contestant on “So You Think You Can Dance” committed suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” Allison Holker, 34, Boss’ wife, said in a statement. “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.”
“I’m heartbroken,” said DeGeneres in a statement. “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.”
The former talk show host also shared an image of the two hugging backstage at her show on social media.
According to law enforcement sources, Holker, a professional dancer who also appeared on “So You Think You Can Dance,” ran frantically into an LAPD station, claiming her husband left home without his car.
Later, police were called about a shooting at an LA hotel, where Boss appeared to have self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
“To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt,” commented Holker, who shared three young children with tWitch. “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.”
Boss served as a DJ on DeGeneres’ eponymous show from 2014 to 2020, eventually becoming an executive producer. He stayed with her until 2022, the year of the embattled show’s finale.
Amidst widespread allegations of toxicity on the talk show, he defended his boss by declaring that there was a lot of “love” behind the scenes.
“We can’t speak too much legally about it, but I’ll say this, there’s been love,” said the dancer in 2020. “Obviously there’s some things to address, but from my standpoint and from countless others, there’s been love. I’ll just leave it at that until there’s a time where we can address more publicly. There’s been love, and there will continue to be love.”
His TV career began as a contestant on MTV’s “The Wade Robson Project” in 2003 before becoming a runner-up on “Star Search.” He became household-name fame on “So You Think You Can Dance,” where he was a Season 4 runner-up in 2008. From Seasons 7 to 9, he was an all-star.
Since 2018, Boss and his wife, a professional dancer, have hosted “Disney’s Fairytale Weddings” on Disney+.
In season 2, Holker competed as a contestant, and then as an all-star in seasons 7, 8 and 14. The competition show “Dancing With the Stars” featured her as a professional dancer from Seasons 19 to 21 and 23.
It had just been nine years since the couple married on Dec. 10, 2013.
“It’s our 9th anniversary!! I couldn’t be more grateful to celebrate this perfect magical day!!!” Holker posted to Instagram on Saturday.
“Saying YES to @sir_twitch_alot has been one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life!! I feel so blessed and loved!! I love you baby and I will never take you or OUR love for granted! I LOVE YOU.”
A number of people have taken to social media to mourn the loss of tWitch.
“Rest, my friend,” wrote Andy Lassner, executive producer of “Ellen.”
“Damn this is sad news. sending prayers to Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’s family and friends,” tweeted DJ Pauly D.
“What is going on?! This news has broken my heart. I’ve loved him since #SYTYCD. He was always so joyful & full of life. Always,” said Yvette Nicole Brown.
Condolences have been expressed on his last Instagram post with his wife.
“Sisssssssster my heart is broken. I’m sooooo sorry,” replied Tamar Braxton.
“Praying for your family,” wrote Larsa Pippen.
He is survived by his wife, Allison, and their three children: Weslie, 14, Maddox, 6, and Zaia, 3.