Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss Dead at 40: Celebrities React

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‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Alum Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss Dead at 40: Yvette Nicole Brown, Sharna Burgess and More Stars React

Gone too soon. Celebrities are mourning the loss of TV personality Stephen “tWitch” Boss after his death at age 40.

Us Weekly confirmed on Wednesday, December 14, that the dancer died one day prior in Los Angeles reportedly by suicide. Boss’ wife, Allison Holker, broke her silence in a statement soon after the news made headlines.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” she told People. “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.”

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.”

The actress, 34, also offered a message to her late husband, adding, “Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”

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Shortly after the news broke, Yvette Nicole Brown took to social media to pay her respects to the choreographer.

“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,” Brown, 51, wrote via Twitter. “Oh, tWitch!💔.”

The Alabama native rose to stardom after appearing on So You Think You Can Dance in 2008. Boss went on to join The Ellen DeGeneres Show as the in-house DJ from 2014 to 2022. The freestyle dancer later collaborated with Ellen DeGeneres again for the NBC game show Ellen’s Game of Games.

Ahead of his passing, Boss frequently gushed about his marriage to Holker and offered glimpses at their family life via social media. The couple, who tied the knot in 2013, welcomed son Maddox in 2016 and daughter Zaia in 2019. The actor was also stepfather to Holker’s daughter Weslie.

Two days before his death, the pair shared a sweet video of them dancing together. “HOLIDAY SUNDAY FUNDAY DANCE !!! With my lover @sir_twitch_alot ,” the former Dancing With the Stars pro captioned the Instagram footage on Sunday, December 11.

Scroll down to read more heartfelt tributes about the late star:

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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Channing Tatum

The Magic Mike star shared a shirtless selfie of himself and the late star after hearing the news.

“I have no words. There aren’t any. My head or heart can not understand this,” he wrote. “There is just so much… i don’t know where to begin. I love you. I’ll see you again my friend. Until then.”

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Julie Chen Moonves

The Big Brother host paid tribute to Boss with multiple tweets. “RIP Twitch 🙏🏼 I pray that people show others love, humanity, kindness, gentleness, patience, caring and God’s peace and light. I pray during this time of year that can be very lonely for some… that they be shown love & support from their communities and know that God is Love.”

She added: “Let’s all make time for others in the midst of busyness. Reach out to someone today and let them know they are loved & someone cares. It may even be someone you don’t know. Someone can always use a word of kindness and encouragement 🙏🏼. ”

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Colman Domingo

“Live. Love. Go deep. Reach out. Listen. Hold someones hand and heart. This time of year is most difficult. There is always light in the darkness. You will be okay. Hold on. Live. ❤️❤️✨❤️✨✨✨✨ RIP Twitch,” the Euphoria actor wrote via Twitter.

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Zach Braff

“I didn’t know this beautiful Man. I only met him once on Ellen. But he and his family brought me so much joy,” the Scrubs star shared via Twitter. “During the pandemic, I would watch them dance and just smile with joy. My heart breaks for his family and children. #RIPTwitch.”

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Tracee Ellis Ross

The Black-ish actress paid her respects to the professional dancer by posting a video of him dancing.

“Rest in Paradise, Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss 🕊️,” Ross wrote via Instagram. “This was the moment I was introduced to him on So You Think You Can Dance—our first introduction to his bright light. He was an incredible dancer, a son, a father, a multifaceted entertainer and a beacon of joy for so many. Sending so much love to his wife, his children, and his loved ones. If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally and in crisis, dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support.”

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Kris Jenner

“My heart is heavy today. tWitch brought so much laughter and joy to so many people and I am so grateful and blessed to have had the time with him on the Ellen Show that I did,” the Kardashians star wrote via Instagram. “He was always so kind and amazing. Truly a special soul. I am heartbroken, and my heart goes out to his beautiful wife, Alison, and their children Weslie, Maddox and Zaia. I am praying for you all and sending my love. 💔”

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Michelle Obama

The former first lady sent her condolences to Boss and his family.

“I was heartbroken to learn about the passing of Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, who I got to know over the years through my Let’s Move! initiative and visits to The Ellen Show,” she shared via Twitter. “My heart goes out to his wife, Allison, and his three children during this difficult time.”

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Tyler Cameron

The Bachelor alum penned a thoughtful post dedicated to the late performer.

“This morning we all woke up to news we never expected. We lost a great leader, an amazing entertainer, a father, husband, and a friend to anyone in need of one. I was lucky enough to have met Twitch on The Real Dirty Dancing,” he wrote via Instagram. “He was our leader and all of our big brothers through that journey. I always enjoyed watching him and how he carried himself. He respected everyone and met everyone with immediate love and compassion no matter how high or low you were on the totem pole during that production. He is someone I wanted to emulate for those reasons.”

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Sophia Grace Brownlee and Rosie McClelland

The Ellen DeGeneres Show fan-favorites both shared tributes to the late star on their social media accounts. 

“My condolences to your family and loved ones,” Brownlee wrote via her Instagram Story, sharing *A collage her and her cousin posing and dancing with Boss. “Thank you for always making the show so fun for me and rosie, you will never be forgotten rest easy.”

“Thank you for making everything so fun for us!” McClelland captioned her post. “Me and Sophia were so lucky to have worked with you, sending all the love to your family, children and friends, love Rosie and Family.”

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Jennifer Lopez

“Twitch was such a light and a beautiful soul…💔 Shocked and deeply saddened. My heart breaks for @sir_twitch_alot, his wife and children 🙏,” the Marry Me star wrote via Instagram, sharing photos from their joint experience on World of Dance. “Sending you love and strength 🤍.”

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Nina Dobrev

“Rest in peace,” the Vampire Diaries alum captioned a series of Instagram Story slides. “We lost one of the brightest lights.”

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Jenna Dewan

The former World of Dance host sent her condolences to Holker and Boss’ “beautiful family.”

She wrote via Instagram Story: “The kindest sweetest warmest soul. I had met in this business. Heart broken today. … The impact you have had on the dance community and the world at large is immeasurable. Fly with the angles, tWitch.”

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Chelsea Handler

The comedian sent her love to Holker in the wake of Boss’ death.

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Viola Davis

“I’m at a loss for words right now, praying for his family and loved ones. 💔🕊🙏🏿,” the How to Get Away With Murder alum posted on her Instagram page alongside a photo of Boss.

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Olivia Munn

Munn commented via Instagram, writing, “Oh my goodness… my whole heart is with you and your family.”

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Justin Timberlake

“It’s heartbreaking to hear that someone who brought so much joy to a room, was hurting so much behind closed doors. I’ve known [tWitch] for over 20 years through the dance community – he always lit everything and everyone up,” the musician wrote alongside an Ellentube clip. “You just never know what someone is really going through. Take care of yourselves. LOVE that human in the mirror. Check on your people. Tell them you LOVE them.”

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Kerry Washington

“The world lost a bright light today. Twitch brought joy and love to people all over the world through music and through dance. My heart is heavy today for his family and all of those who knew and loved him,” the actress tweeted. “You never know what people are struggling with or going through. Hug your loved ones. Call your friends. Reach out to people in need. And if you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. ❤️”

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Jessica Alba

“It’s so strange to reflect back on time with someone who you never thought would pass -in this way …” Alba began via Instagram.” I think it’s why it’s so devastating, because there is no way to prepare you. I have had nothing but joyful experiences with Twitch, although brief we would catch up on our kids and ‘better halves’, he was such a bright light, his energy radiated. My heart goes out to Allison and their three babies, I’m so so sorry for your loss. Twitch, you will be missed, thank you for sharing your light with us. 🙏🏽”

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Ellen DeGeneres

“I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light,” the host wrote via Instagram. “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.”

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Yvette Nicole Brown

The Community alum tweeted, “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.”

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Jimmie Allen

“Stephen (Twitch) my brother, one the best people I’ve ever gotten to know,” the country singer wrote alongside a video of Boss. “I gonna miss the laughs, the jokes, the honest conversations and these random videos. We are gonna miss you. Thank you for your light.  Praying for Allison and the children. This hurts.”

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Allison Holker

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” Holker, who raised three kids with Boss, 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.”

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Matt Bomer

“RIP Twitch. You were an absolute light in this world- and pure joy to be around,” the White Collar alum wrote. “Please reach out if you need help, and check in with your loved ones. This can be a difficult time of year for many. My thoughts are with his family.”

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Lisa Vanderpump

“What a bright light he was on Ellen show..so sad,” the reality star, 62, tweeted. “🥲#RIP.”

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Michael Abbott Jr.

“Saddened by the news of DJ Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’s death at 40. We met on NYE in Times Square a few years ago when we simultaneously complimented each others tuxedos,” the Walking Dead alum, 44, wrote via Twitter. “He seemed like an incredibly nice guy. Another reminder that we never know what someone is dealing with inside.”

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Pauly D

The Jersey Shore star, 42, took to Twitter, writing, “Damn this is sad news. Sending prayers to Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’s family and friends. ❤️🙏 RIP TWITCH.”

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Loni Love

“A kind soul and a sweet person.. that is how I will remember Twitch… This was his 40th birthday party .. my heart goes out to his family especially Allison and their beautiful kids.. this is devastating… I love you brother and will miss you dearly,” the TV host, 51, wrote alongside videos of Boss.

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Sharna Burgess

The Australia native reflected on how Boss’ passing didn’t “seem real” in the comments section of her last Instagram post with him. “We are sending you and your babies so much love and please let us know how we can best support you. I’m so sorry Allison,” Burgess wrote.