Following the news this week that dancer Stephen “tWitch” Boss has died, tributes are pouring in from the many people whose lives he touched throughout his entertainment career.
“I’m heartbroken,” Ellen DeGeneres shared on Twitter. “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.”
Meanwhile, tWitch’s So You Think You Can Dance co-star Cat Deeley, wrote that she loved him “on camera, off camera and beyond,” while former First Lady Michelle Obama said that she was “heartbroken” by the news.
Jennifer Lopez, who worked with tWitch on World of Dance, said: “Twitch was such a light and a beautiful soul… Shocked and deeply saddened. My heart breaks for Stephen “tWitch” Boss, his wife and children. Sending you love and strength.”
Channing Tatum, who knew tWitch from their time collaborating on the 2015 dance movie Magic Mike XXL, posted a tribute to Instagram: “I have no words. There aren’t any. My head or heart can not understand this. There is just so much… I don’t know where to begin. I love you. I’ll see you again my friend. Until then.” Jada Pinkett Smith, who worked with tWitch on the same movie, said: “My condolences to all his loved ones that he has left behind. We had a lot of good times on the set of Magic Mike. He was so sweet, kind and generous. So many people suffer in silence. I wish he could have known that he didn’t have to.”
The Rock described tWitch as a “great guy,” and said that he has sadly lost others to the “struggle”. “You never know what’s happening between the ears,” he added.
Justin Timberlake also spoke about the importance of reaching out for help when struggling with your mental health, saying: “Take care of yourselves. LOVE that human in the mirror. Check on your people. Sending light to his beautiful family in this dark, confusing time.”
Philip Ellis is a freelance writer and journalist from the United Kingdom covering pop culture, relationships and LGBTQ+ issues. His work has appeared in GQ, Teen Vogue, Man Repeller and MTV.
