DJ Stephen tWitch has sadly passed away aged 40
(Picture: Getty Images)DJ Stephen “tWitch” Boss, known for being the DJ on the Ellen DeGeneres show, died on Tuesday, December 13.
His body was found at a motel in the Encino area of Los Angeles, after his wife, Allison Holker, raised concerns with the police
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Ms Holker said: “He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”
Multiple US outlets have reported that Boss died by suicide, citing the LA County Medical Examiner.
Early life
Stephen Boss was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on September 29, 1982. He got his nickname tWitch as a child due to his popping and ticking when he couldn’t sit still.
His love for dance from a young age saw him go on to study Dance Performance at Southern Union Stage Community College in Wadley, Alabama, and Chapman University in Orange, California
Dance career
Boss competed on MTV’s The Wade Robson Project, reaching the semi-final stage, and was also a runner-up on television talent competition, Star Search.
Boss also competed in season three of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD), but failed to make the top 20.
However, he returned the following season and was runner-up in the Finals.
His impressive dance moves earned him a spot on tour with the other top 10 finalists where he performed the Emmy-nominated piece, Mercy.
The dance was nominated for an Emmy for Choreography in the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards.
He was then chosen as one of the 10 All-Star dancers for season seven of SYTYCD and later was announced as a permanent judge for the 17th season in 2022.
The Ellen Show
Boss joined The Ellen DeGeneres Show as a guest DJ in 2014.
He then became a permanent fixture on the series and became a co-host and executive producer on the show in 2020.
He was featured in Ellen’s Game of Games as a sidekick to Ms DeGeneres.
Paying tribute to the late DJ, DeGeneres said on Twitter: “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.”
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. pic.twitter.com/lW8Q5HZonx
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 14, 2022
Personal life
Boss met his wife, dancer and actress Allison Holker, 34, on the dance show SYTYCD.
The pair hosted Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings on Freeform and Disney+ and regularly posted fun dance videos on social media.
The couple has three children together: Weslie, 14, Maddox, 6, and Zaia, 3.
Holker said in a statement shared with People magazine: “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. He was the backboene of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”
She continued: “To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt.
“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.”
