The Hollywood dance community is coming together to rememberStephen “tWitch” Bossfollowing news of his sudden death.
In a statement to PEOPLE,SYTYCDjudgeMary Murphyremembered the first time she met Boss — and the way he went on to become “an inspiration to millions.”
“I am so deeply saddened of the news of Twitch passing. My soul is crying and aches on a cellular level. I was a proud mama bear over Twitch. He was hungry, eager, and willing to do the work that would lift him in spirit and means,” she said. “The first time I met Twitch there was something about him. I call it twinkle eye because his eyes shined so much. His smile lit up the stage every time he stepped foot on it! We were not easy on him the first time he auditioned, and told him to work hard and come back again.”
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“The same thing happened the next year he auditioned — work hard and come back. That would have been the end for most people but he persevered and came back again,” she continued. “He still had to fight for his life that third year with his solo. What I saw next was unlike any solo I had seen before. His music was a symphony that was playing and Twitch started to dance and show us all the instruments being used, but through his body. The musicality of it was mesmerizing and a defining moment in Twitch’s dance career.”
Stephen “tWitch” Boss.Getty
“Those are the moments that I cherish the most, when a dancer seems to be one with the universe, music, and choreography. Needless to say, I was crazy over it and from that moment on Twitch started to soar,” she added. “I was so proud of him because I had a very small part in his big career. Twitch was an inspiration to millions with his work ethic and determination and showed many young children that no matter what your circumstances are you can make it if you work hard! Twitch I love you to the moon and back! I wrap his family Allison, Maddox, Zaria and Weslie with love and prayers. Dear Twitch RIP, the world will miss your shining light!”
SYTYCDcreator and judgeNigel Lythgoetold PEOPLE in a statement: “I am heartbroken and devastated at the moment. I’m at a loss to understand how someone as loved and as inspirational to so many people as Stephen was can feel they are in such a dark place that they have no other choice but to end their life.”
Lythgoe noted how Boss “always had that broad smile and a joy of life” and said “everyone who met him loved him.”
Nigel Lythgoe and Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss.Angela Weiss/Getty
“Mental health is a real issue that is often hidden from us,” Lythgoe added. “The dance community will be reeling today but my deepest sympathy goes out to his wife, Allison and their children. It’s important to recognize that mental health is a real problem and sometimes goes unnoticed in our loved ones. As we go into this happy time of the year for so many of us we must recognize that stress and dark emotions appear to be heightened in others.”
JoJo Siwa, who served as a judge onSYTYCDbeside Boss,expressed her sadness in a post on Instagram.
JoJo Siwa and Stephen “tWitch” Boss.FOX via Getty
Dancing with the StarsproCheryl Burkealsoreacted on Instagram, sharing two photos with Boss. In her post, she remembered him “for being so joyful, inspirational, and for always putting a smile on my face.”
“My heart breaks for @sir_twitch_alot, @allisonholker and their beautiful family. Twitch, thank you for representing the dance world with such positivity and grace but more importantly, as a human being,” she wrote. “thank you for being so joyful, inspirational, and for always putting a smile on my face. May your soul rest in peace my friend. 💔”
Cheryl Burke and Stephen “tWitch” Boss.Cheryl Burke/instagram
DWTSalum and judgeDerek Houghaddressed the news ina statement on his Instagram. “My heart is aching for @allisonholker and their beautiful family during this time. My mind is clinging to memories of the dear friend we have all lost,” he wrote beside a photo of him next to Boss.
“When I think of twitch I think of Wisdom, Love, Light and Laughter. He brought joy to everyone he encountered and was an inspiration to all,” Hough added. “It’s gonna take some time to fully process this. May you rest in peace my friend. We love you 🙏🏼❤️”
SYTYCDalum andDWTSproJenna Johnson Chmerkovskiyshared a video of Boss dancing on Instagram and wrote beside it, “may you forever be dancing in heaven and wearing that smile that lit up the world💔”
Jenna’s husband andDWTSpro,Val Chmerkovskiypenned atouching tribute on Instagrambeside a video of Boss smiling.
“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 wrote. “You were an example for me and so many of us trying to make our little fifteen minutes 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. You were kind, always thoughtful, and always kept it one hundred thousand. That’s why as a community we loved you!”
“You were exactly the representation we wanted and we’re proud to have. Always checking in when you saw I, or my family, was going through stuff always offered help, and sometimes gave it without even asking,” he continued. “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”
Jenna Johnson’s Instagram Story.Jenna Johnson/Instagram
Val’s brother andDWTSalumMaksim Chmerkovskiyalsoshared a tribute on Instagram, in which he admitted, “I’m at a loss for words… I wrote few paragraphs and deleted everything because it’s all so irrelevant right now.”
SYTYCDfinalist andDWTSproKoko Iwasakisaid she had been “trying to process and find the words, but I can’t” in an emotional post on her Instagram Story.
“Twitch was the light in every room he walked into. I would watch him go out of his way to say hi to every single person and his kindness was immeasurable. His heart was made of pure gold and he just had that ability to make everyone feel special,” she continued. “The world hurts today and I will miss you dearly. Rest in peace Twitch. I am praying for you, Allison, your babies and the family.”
Koko Iwasaki’s Instagram Story.FOX via Getty, Koine Iwasaki/Instagram
FellowDWTSproDaniella Karagachshared the news on her Instagram Story, writing, “In complete disbelief. My heart breaks for his family and loved ones. RIP twitch.”
In a post on her Instagram Story,DWTSproSharna Burgessspoke about the importance of getting help when “struggling with mental health difficulties.”
“There just aren’t the right words for this mornings [sic] heartbreaking news. No amount of thoughts and prayers can make it better. Our dance community just lost one of its brightest lights 💔 a woman lost her soul mate [sic], and babies lost their Daddy. Heaven, however, gained an angel. A Boss one at that.”
Sharna Burgess' Instagram Story.shana burgess/instagram
“If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health difficulties of any kind please know you are not alone and help is right there waiting for you. A phone call away,” she continued, before sharing the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Burgess added: “Reaching out is often the hardest part. That initial decision to ask for help seems so difficult especially for men… If you feel you can take that first difficult step please do. Tell someone how much your [sic] hurting. Because you are so loved and so wanted and so needed even if you can’t see it. And you are not alone.”
FellowDWTSproAlan Berstenwrote of the news onhis Instagram Story: “Absolutely heartbreaking. Not only a legend in the dance world, but the entire world knew his name. RIP”
AddedfellowDWTSproLindsay Arnold: “My heart is hurting hearing this news. Absolutely devastating. My prayers and love go out to @allisonholker and the entire Boss family.”
She went on to share a clip of Boss dancing, where she noted how she will “never forget the first time I saw Stephen dance on SYTYCD.” She added, “Not only did he light up the world with his incredible dance talents but with his genuine kindness always. He was the kindest person and I always looked up to him and the fact that through all of his success he stayed humble, kind, genuine, and was truly a one of a kind incredible human.”
Arnold also shared a video, in which she reminded her followers that “we don’t always know what somebody is going through” and to “spread love [and] be kind to others.”
DWTSjudgeCarrie Ann Inabapenneda lengthy tribute to Boss on Instagram, where she remembered the dancer as a “beautiful soul” and “one of the things that always seemed right in this world.”
“He was a special one. A good man, a husband, an artist, a dancer, an entertainer, a bright light…He was extraordinary,” she wrote, in part. “He could do anything and he did it with a joy and grace and some swagger.”
“Thank you for being a man who led with grace. A cool presence in a world full of tightly wound up folks…and unfulfilled artists pursuing their dreams,” she continued. “I know that I am not alone when I say that you gave me so much hope. You were one of the things that always seemed right in this world.”
“You will be missed. 💔And I’m so sad I won’t get to see your future unfold as it should have, opening more and more doors for others in your wake. But I can say with certainty, you made this world a better place,” Inaba added. “That smile.That grace.That style. That immense being that is and always will be your spirit. May you soar and rest in peace and power.”
SYTYCDwinner Bailey Muñozshared a photo on Instagram with Bossand wrote beside it, “My heart is broken…💔 I’m still trying to process this. my condolences & prayers to Allison and his family. ‘Love you unc’”
In his statement to PEOPLE,SYTYCDalum Dmitry Chaplin said: “I am at a complete loss for words. My heart goes out to Allison and her family, since their loss is even more tragic than ours! I first met Twitch onSYTYCDwhen he was a contestant; he was always one of the most modest, friendly, and fun individuals I’ve ever met. He truly loved the art of dancing and was instrumental in bringing it to the attention of newer generations through television. He will forever be remembered as a friend, a gifted performer, and a kind person.”
Alex Wong, another member of theSYTYCDcommunity, told PEOPLE in a statement that he was “just so shocked,” adding, “I wish it wasn’t true. Stephen was so loved and always so positive. I can’t even wrap my head around this. My heart goes out to Allison and their family.”
SYTYCDchoreographer Sonya Tayeh added in a statement to PEOPLE: “Blessed beyond belief to be in the presence of Twitch (I called him Twizzle). The gift he gave to our beloved dance community is boundless. Watching him dance was like watching a marvel of the craft grace us. He will be forever in our cells.”
Fellow choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha (Nappytabs) told PEOPLE in a joint statement: “Our hearts are broken over losing Twitch. He was not only a dear friend but such a wonderful human being. Always the brightest light on the stage, the biggest heart in the room and kindest spirit to all. Every time we got the opportunity to create with you it was a privilege and a gift. We made so many special memories together over the years my friend and we will hold those memories close to our hearts forever.”
Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss and his wife Allison.Momodu Mansaray/Getty
Boss' wife,Allison Holker Boss, confirmed theSo You Think You Can Dancejudge’s death on Wednesday in an emotional statement with PEOPLE.
Allison concluded her statement with a message for her husband: “Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”
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Boss was best known for being a DJ and co-executive producer onTheEllen DeGeneresShow. But he also made a name for himself onSo You Think You Can Danceas a contestant and latera judgewhen the series returned in 2022.
source: people.com
