Stephen “tWitch” Boss, known as the DJ on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” has died, The Post has confirmed. He was 40.
The “So You Think You Can Dance” contestant and “Magic Mike XXL” actor died by suicide with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” Boss’ wife, Allison Holker, 34, said in a statement received by The Post. “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.”
“I’m heartbroken,” DeGeneres said in a statement received by The Post. “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 his beautiful children — Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.”
On social media, the former talk show host also shared a post that included an image of the pair hugging backstage at her show.
Holker, a professional dancer who also appeared on “So You Think You Can Dance,” reportedly ran frantically into an LAPD station, saying her husband had left home without his car, which she claimed was unlike him, according to law enforcement sources.
Police later got a call about a shooting at an LA hotel, where they found Boss with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt,” Holker, who shared three young children with tWitch, continued in her statement. “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.
“Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”
Boss started as a DJ on DeGeneres’ eponymous daytime series in 2014, eventually being elevated to an executive producer in 2020. He stayed with her until the finale of the embattled show in 2022.
He defended his boss amid widespread allegations of toxicity on the talk show, claiming there was much “love” behind the scenes.
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“We can’t speak too much legally about it, but I’ll say this, there’s been love,” the dancer, then 37, told Us Weekly in 2020. “Obviously there’s some things to address, but from my standpoint and from countless others, there’s been love. I’ll just leave it at that until there’s a time where we can address more publicly. There’s been love, and there will continue to be love.”
The dancer, choreographer and TV personality got his start as a contestant on MTV’s “The Wade Robson Project” in 2003 before becoming a runner-up on “Star Search.” However, he achieved household-name fame on “So You Think You Can Dance,” where he was a Season 4 runner-up in 2008. He appeared as an all-star on Seasons 7-9.
Boss and his wife, who is also a professional dancer, have been the hosts of “Disney’s Fairytale Weddings” on Disney+ since 2018.
Holker also competed on “So You Think You Can Dance” — first as a contestant on Season 2 and later as an all-star on Seasons 7, 8 and 14. She was a professional dancer on the competition show “Dancing With the Stars” from Seasons 19 to 21 and 23.
The couple married on Dec. 10, 2013, and had just celebrated their ninth anniversary.
“It’s our 9th anniversary!! I couldn’t be more grateful to celebrate this perfect magical day!!!” Holker posted to Instagram on Saturday.
“Saying YES to @sir_twitch_alot has been one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life!! I feel so blessed and loved!! I love you baby and I will never take you or OUR love for granted! I LOVE YOU.”
People have started to take to social media to mourn tWitch’s passing.
“Rest, my friend,” executive producer of “Ellen” Andy Lassner wrote.
“Damn this is sad news. sending prayers to Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’s family and friends,” DJ Pauly D 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,” Yvette Nicole Brown said.
Some have taken to his last Instagram post with his wife to send condolences.
“Sisssssssster my heart is broken. I’m sooooo sorry,” Tamar Braxton commented.
“Praying for your family,” Larsa Pippen wrote.
Boss is survived by his wife, Allison, and their three children: Weslie, 14, Maddox, 6, and Zaia, 3.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
