Stephen ‘tWitch’ boss mourns at memorial service: details

I say goodbye. Stephen “tWitch” Boss was honored by his loved ones during an emotional memorial service on Saturday, February 11th.

Over 500 friends and family members gathered to pay their respects to the late dancer at a celebration of life in Los Angeles, multiple media outlets reported. Wife Allison Holker and her daughter Weslie, 14, spoke at the event.

“He was a light. He chose love, mercy and goodness. And he deserves to be celebrated,” Holker said on the way People.

Mickey Guyton and Andy Grammer performed songs at the memorial service Bdash (real name James Derrick), Slavik Pustovojtov and Caesar “Tighteyex” Willis honored the Boss with a dance tribute.

Family Pastor, Joe Smithhost of the Celebration of Life, Entertainment Tonight reports. Guests included Ellen DeGeneres, Wayne Brady, Lonnie Love, Jeff Thacker, Derek Hough, AJ McLean, Robin Antin and many members of both So you think you can dance and The Ellen DeGeneres Show cast and crew.

Paying tribute to the choreographer, Holker and her family revealed that they have launched the Move with Kindness Foundation, which “aims to carry on the legacy of Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss by spreading love and awareness about mental health,” per ET.

Us Weekly confirmed that Boss died by reported suicide at the age of 40 on December 13. Holker broke her silence soon after the news of the dancer’s death hit the headlines.

“It is with the heaviest heart that I have to share that my husband Steven has left us,” Dancing with the stars alum, 34, told People. “Stephen lit up every room he walked 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.”

Holker, who raised three children with her late husband, reflected on the legacy he left behind. “His positive influence will continue to be felt. I’m sure that not a day will go by that we don’t honor him,” she continued. “We are asking for privacy at this difficult time for me, and especially for our three children. Stefan, we love you, we miss you and I will always save the last dance for you.”

The couple married in 2013 after meeting on the set of Season 7 So you think you can dance three years earlier. Boss and Holker expanded their family with son Maddox in 2016 and daughter Zaia in 2019. He was born in Alabama and adopted his wife’s child from a previous relationship.

Ahead of his death, the couple reflected on the early days of their relationship. During the interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show in November, Holker spoke of the “amazing” moment when they crossed paths, adding: “Of course I [made the first move].”

Boss, for his part, joked that he was initially “a bit unaware” of Holker’s romantic advances. “She’s also incredibly kind and welcoming and things like that,” he said. “So I’m not going to be like, ‘Yeah, she feels me.’ … She literally felt me ​​during dance rehearsals, but I didn’t realize it. But I caught something.”

The actress pointed out that she does not rule out plans to have more children. “I know for sure [want more children]. I think we’d like to start trying for another one [baby]”, she shared then.

In response, Boss pointed out that a major milestone would require private conversations, saying, “Listen. … I love little babies. I love them. It’s an ongoing conversation.”

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If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or thinking about suicide, call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988.