Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the beloved dancer and resident DJ of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” has died, his wife confirmed in a statement to NBC News. He was 40 years old.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must share that my husband Stephen has left us,” said Allison Holker. “Stephen lit up every room he walked 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 for your fans.”
Holker continued: “To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt. I’m sure not a day will go by that we don’t honor his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for me and especially our three children”.
She concluded her statement by sharing a message to her husband, writing, “I will always save the last dance for you.”
A representative told NBC News that Boss committed suicide without sharing further details. NBC News has reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department and the coroner for comment.
Boss and Holker, who is also a professional dancer, often share choreographed dance videos on their social media accounts. Just two days before her death, the couple posted a video of them dancing to Alicia Keys’ “December Back to June” together.
In 2008, Boss first broke onto the national scene while competing on Season 4 of “So You Think You Can Dance”. He was a runner-up and became a frequent fixture on the program, later serving as an All-Star and team captain for several seasons.
Boss started out as a DJ on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2014. He eventually became a co-executive producer and frequent guest host.
He told “Entertainment Tonight” earlier this year that he was having a hard time preparing to say goodbye to the show after it was announced that DeGeneres would end the daytime interview series at the end of Season 19.
“I think the closer to the end, naturally, like we do, you start to miss it and you start to take in all the little moments where you think, ‘Well, maybe I’m just not ready to say goodbye yet,'” he said.
DeGeneres posted a tribute to Boss on his Instagram page, saying he was “heartbroken” by the news of his death.
“I’m heartbroken,” she captioned a photo of the two embracing. “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 their beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox and Zaia.”
Before the “Ellen” show ended, Boss signed on to host E!’s “Clash of the Cover Bands,” a music competition series featuring celebrity judges including Meghan Trainor and “American Idol” alumnus, Adam Lambert. AND! The network aired a season of the show in late 2021. At the time, Boss said he was having “a lot of fun” filming the show.
“I feel like I have the best position because the judges, Ester, Meghan and Adam, they kind of have the hardest job because the talent is serious,” Boss said. “For me, I can just go out and be a cheerleader for everybody. Honestly, it was so much fun. It was literally like a show every episode.”
No official date for the second season has been announced, and with no official cancellation announced, the network needs to confirm that there will be a second season.
The dancer-DJ has also appeared in films such as “Step Up: All In” and “Magic Mike XXL”.
Boss is survived by his wife Allison Holker and their three children, Zaia, 3, Maddox, 6, and Weslie, 14.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741 at any time.
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