A little over a week after Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’ tragic death, his longtime colleague and friend Ellen DeGeneres posted a heartfelt video to the dancer and DJ. This is the first time the talk show host has spoken about what happened to tWitch. She posted a tribute to him the day he died as well as highlights from him on her show, but this video is the first time she verbally spoke about it.
In the video, she encouraged viewers to “laugh” “hug each other” and “play games,” because that is what tWitch would want. You can watch her heartfelt message where she called the So You Think You Can Dance alum “pure light” here:
There was no caption with DeGeneres’ video. She acknowledged how hard the last few weeks have been for everyone, and how the holidays can be hard. The comedian got emotional talking about tWitch, and she encouraged people to honor him, even though it feels “impossible.” She also asked people to check in on one another, and ended her video by saying we should honor him, and “send love to one another.”
On the day tWitch died, DeGeneres posted a heartfelt message to his family, saying she was “heartbroken.” She also sent her “love and support” to the dancer’s wife Allison Holker and their three children.
Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss had been on DeGeneres’ show full-time for eight years. He started as a guest, and eventually became the show’s DJ. In the final years of the daytime talk show, he was also an executive producer.
The long-time Ellen DeGeneres Show DJ died by suicide at the age of 40. Immediately following the news of his death many posted tributes to their long-time friend, showing just how beloved tWitch is.
The dancer’s friend of over 20 years Justin Timberlake posted about him, saying he “lit everything up.” Along with DeGeneres and Timberlake, many people from the dance community paid tribute to tWitch too, including pros from Dancing with the Stars and the judges and contestants from So You Think You Can Dance, as well as celebrities like Jodie Sweetin and Derek and Julianne Hough.
The SYTYCD contestant turned judge’s mother released a statement thanking everyone for the “love, prayers and encouragement,” and she said his family is “completely devastated right now.” She explained that she had talked with her son not long before he died, and said there was “no indication that anything” was wrong. tWitch reportedly left a suicide note that alluded to “struggles” in the past.
While there is not much else known about his death, there has been a clear and abundant outpouring of love from those who knew and loved him, including his long-time friend Ellen DeGeneres.
We here at CinemaBlend send our thoughts and condolences to tWitch’s family and friends.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
