Following the untimely death of DJ Stephen “tWitch” Boss, Ellen DeGeneres shared a heartfelt tribute.
“I’m heartbroken,” DeGeneres wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday. “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 [his wife] Allison and his beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.”
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TMZ first reported Boss’s death early Wednesday morning. He was reportedly found dead in an L.A. hotel room Tuesday morning. According to CNN, the L.A. County Medical Examiner confirmed that Boss died by suicide.
Boss rose to fame in 2008 as a runner-up on So You Think You Can Dance. He became the DJ for DeGeneres’s syndicated daytime talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, in 2014 and later became a co-executive producer of the show.
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Other celebrities have been posting remembrances of Boss. JoJo Siwa, who judged So You Think You Can Dance alongside Boss on the show’s most recent season, wrote in an Instagram post that her “heart is beyond broken.”
“twitch was a best friend and a mentor not just to me but to SO many. I’ll never forget our time getting to work together on SYTYCD, he became such a light in my life,” Siwa wrote. “Twitch always had the best advice. We had SO many laughs, smiles, and even cries together. I know you’re in a better place now but man we are all gonna miss the hell outta you. Sending my most love and prayers to His beautiful wife and 3 perfect kids. ❤️ thank you for sharing your gift with the world.”
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Former First Lady Michelle Obama, a frequent guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, also shared her grief at Boss’s passing.
“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 wrote on Instagram. “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. My heart goes out to his wife, Allison, and their three children, Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.”
“And if any of you out there are struggling and need someone to talk to, please know that you are never alone,” Obama added. “There is always someone ready to help. You can call or text the suicide and crisis hotline by dialing 988.”
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“I’m devastated to hear the news about Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’ passing,” Paula Abdul wrote on Twitter. “tWitch greeted the world every day with a beautiful smile that was a direct reflection of his beautiful heart. He was a beacon of light & a true talent whose legacy & impact will live on in the dance community.”
I’m devastated to hear the news about Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ passing. tWitch greeted the world every day with a beautiful smile that was a direct reflection of his beautiful heart. He was a beacon of light & a true talent whose legacy & impact will live on in the dance community pic.twitter.com/UlUV7VmvCi
— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) December 14, 2022
“Whenever I was a guest on Ellen’s show, it was always a joy to see Stephen tWitch Boss do his thing,” Good Morning America host Robin Roberts wrote. “I, like so many, was devastated to hear of his sudden death.”
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…next on @GMA we have more on the community he built through dance & the beautiful tributes from his loved ones.
— Robin Roberts (@RobinRoberts) December 15, 2022
“This news has broken my heart. I’ve loved him since #SYTYCD. He was always so joyful & full of life. Always,” wrote Yvette Nicole Brown.
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.
Oh, tWitch!💔
If you are feeling despair PLEASE call 988. #PleaseStay
Stephen 'tWitch' Boss Dead at 40 by Suicide https://t.co/GEjHIJCNmT via @TMZ
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) December 14, 2022
NOH8 posted the photo of Boss taken for the anti-bullying campaign as a tribute.
Rest in Peace Stephen 'tWitch' Boss #NOH8 pic.twitter.com/6T6jMW0906
— NOH8 Campaign (@NOH8Campaign) December 14, 2022
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