According to the Los Angeles County Coroner, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the amiable DJ for “Ellen DeGeneres Show” and dancer who rose to fame on “So You Think You Can Dance,” has died.
He was 40.
CNN reached out to Boss’s representatives, who directed us to a statement shared by his wife, fellow dancer Allison Holker Boss, with People magazine about his death.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” she said. “Stephen brightened every room he entered. Above all, he valued family, friends, and community, and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was our family’s rock, 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,” she added. “I am confident that there will never be a day when we do not remember him. We request privacy during this difficult time for myself and our three children.”
“Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.” Holker Boss said at the end of her statement.
Boss, who was born in Montgomery, Alabama, got his nickname as a child because he couldn’t sit still.
He attended Southern Union State Community College and Chapman University after graduating from Lee High School in Montgomery in 2000.
Six years ago, he spoke with author and former football player Lewis Howes for the latter’s podcast about his upbringing, which included being raised by a single mother and how his relationship with his absentee father shaped him.
“I have always been that type ‘Don’t tell me what I won’t do,'” said the boss. “I remember talking to [his father] outside of his work in the parking lot and telling him ‘Hey, I’m joining the dance team. I’m going to need some shows and some money to get supplies,’ he said, and then he went off on this tangent… ‘Oh, that means I’m really supposed to do this then,’ I thought.”
Boss was a semifinalist on MTV’s “The Wade Robson Project” in 2003, as well as a runner-up on the television talent show “Star Search.”
Being a runner-up on “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2008 marked the start of his rise to fame, and he would later return to the dance competition as a judge.
Ellen DeGeneres hired him as the DJ for her popular daytime talk show in 2014, a position he held until the show was cancelled this year. He was also added as an executive producer to the show by DeGeneres.
He communicated with fans through his popular social media accounts, frequently posting videos of himself dancing with his wife.
In 2010, they were all-star dancers on Season 7 of “So You Think You Can Dance” and they fell in love.
“We shared a dance at the wrap party of that season of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and we have been together ever since,” Boss told People in February.
“There was no dialogue, no conversation, and no first hangout. We literally danced, and the next day we were holding hands “Holker Boss elaborated. “And we never looked back.”
The couple is the parents of three children. On Monday, Boss’ final Instagram post showed him and Holker Boss dancing in front of a Christmas tree.
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