Amaar Zarrieff 
Hollywood has lost yet another bright and talented star. TMZ broke the story about the death of Stephen “tWitch” Boss – known for DJing on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” from 2014 up until the show ended earlier this year. tWitch, also an executive producer on “Ellen,” was introduced to stardom when he was a contestant on the dance competition show, “So You Think You Can Dance.” In 2008 he finished the show as runner-up. Throughout his time on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” tWitch expressed his love for dance fervently.
Before ending her show, DeGeneres took the time to express her love for tWitch on air. In a video she talked about how they met. She went on to say, “My initial love for him (tWitch) was we just bonded over learning to dance together.”
tWitch and his wife, Allison Holker had a common interest when it came to dancing. The two met on the all-star season of “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2010, and then went on to get married in 2013 (their 9-year marriage anniversary was just three days before his death). tWitch and Allison had three children: Weslie, Zaia, and Maddox. In a heartfelt message to TMZ, Holker stated, “He was the backbone of our family, the best husband, and father, and an inspiration to his fans. 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.”
I’m heartbroken. 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. pic.twitter.com/lW8Q5HZonx
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 14, 2022
There have been reports that tWitch’s death was ruled a suicide on Tuesday, December 13th. tWitch was known by his wife and close friends for being a person who could light up a room when he walked in. His tragic death is the latest reminder that even though a person may appear cheerful on the outside, we never really know what kind of turmoil they are facing mentally. Especially when it comes to Black men, they are often expected to present themselves as strong and “unbreakable.” These feelings lead a lot of men to bottle up their emotions until it’s too late.
If you or someone you know is suffering from depression or are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also visit 988lifeline.org.
By Amaar Zarrieff, Freshman, Howard University
Instagram: amaar.fz
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