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Jennifer Lopez, Michelle Obama and others are paying tribute to the famed DJ and dancer Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss following his death on Tuesday (Dec. 13). Boss, an executive producer on The Ellen Show who also starred on So You Think You Can Dance, was mourned on social media by his coworkers after news of his death at age 40 broke.
“Twitch was such a light and a beautiful soul. Shocked and deeply saddened. My heart breaks for @sir_twitch_alot, his wife and children,” Lopez, who worked with Boss on World of Dance, wrote on Instagram.
Derek Hough, who judged alongside Lopez and Boss, echoed the sentiment. He wrote, “My mind is clinging to memories of the dear friend we have all lost. 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.”
Obama shared a picture of Boss and his family on her Instagram feed with a heartfelt caption, writing, “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 added, “Stephen was an incredible force—someone who radiated kindness and positivity, and made sure that people around him could feel it, too. We felt his spirit in every dance, every DJ set, every piece of creativity that he brought to life.”
Content creator Kalen Allen called Boss his “brother” in a thread of tweets. He wrote, “God knows, my heart is at a standstill because I have never known a friend like you. No words, dance, or show can adequately capture just how magnificent your existence was to this world and me.”
He continued to share how supportive they were of one another, and expressed remorse over his tragic death. “We were each other’s number one fan and often the light in each other’s darkest hours. I am very sorry that the darkness found a voice this time and became too loud,” Allen expressed.
Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts tweeted, “Whenever I was a guest on Ellen’s show, it was always a joy to see Stephen tWitch Boss do his thing. I, like so many, was devastated to hear of his sudden death,” while Kung Fu actor Shannon Dang also mourned Boss, calling him an “inspiration to many.”
Channing Tatum, who worked with Boss on Magic Mike XXL, expressed his love for the late dancer by sharing a behind-the-scenes image of the two of them with the caption, “I have no words. There aren’t any. My head or heart can not understand this.”
New York Congressman Jamal Bowman tweeted Bernice King’s post about Boss with a call to action for all to “check on your friends and family,” adding, “we all need each other so much.”
Yesterday, Ellen DeGeneres shared a tribute to her coworker and friend by posting a photo of them hugging on set of The Ellen Show. She wrote, “I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light.”
Boss’ wife Alison Holker confirmed his passing yesterday in a statement shared with People reading, in part, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us.”
Per TMZ, Boss died by suicide. The outlet alleged that Holker expressed concern to the LAPD after Boss left their home without his car. Later, the police responded to a call about a shooting at a hotel in Los Angeles and found Boss dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988.
