Stephen “tWitch” Boss, known for being the dance DJ on the Ellen DeGeneres show on American television, was found dead in a Los Angeles motel in California.
Boss’s wife, who was 40, told the magazine People that he was “the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”
Boss became an integral part of the Ellen DeGeneres show from 2014 until it went off the air in May of this year.
DeGeneres said Wednesday that she is “disconsolately” For the news.
“I have the heart inside. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family and he loved him with all my heart. I will miss it. Send her love and support to Allison and hers beautiful children of hers: Weslie, Maddox and Zaia,” the TV host wrote in a message on Twitter.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to the BBC that its officers went to a motel on Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles on Tuesday following an emergency call.
They found nothing suspicious at the scene and everything indicates that it would be a suicide.
When the news broke, there were multiple reactions on social networks. Singer Justin Timberlake wrote on Twitter:
“It’s heartbreaking to hear that someone who brought so much joy suffered so much behind closed doors. I’ve known tWitch for over 20 years from the dance community – he always lit things up. You never know what someone is really going through“.
a long career
After appearing as a dancer in movies like Blades of Glory y HairsprayBoss first rose to fame as a finalist on the show So You Think You Can Dance in 2008.
One of her dances was nominated for Emmy for Best Choreography and later returned to the show as a judge.
The Alabama-born entertainer went on to work as an actor, appearing in the film series Step Up and then in Magic Mike XXL, and also became an executive producer on The Ellen Show in 2020.
Before the show ended in May, DeGeneres surprised him with a special tribute: “Over a decade ago, I met someone who changed my life and our show… And I’m talking regarding you, tWitch.”
“I love you so much,” she told him, noting how “you always make me smile and laugh” with a dance or song.
An emotional Boss replied, “I love you and I love the family we’ve gained too, and one thing I’ll always remember is that you gave me a place where I can be myself.
Actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson urged the family to “stay strong,” posting online that he was “very sorry to hear this heartbreaking news.”
“I have lost many friends in the fight,” he said. “You never know what’s going on in someone’s mind.”
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