“So You Think You Can Dance” alum Allison Holker is mourning the loss of husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who died by suicide on Tuesday at age 40.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” Holker, 34, said in a statement to People on Wednesday.
“Stephen lit up every room he stepped 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.”
The couple, who shared three children, met while filming the All Stars season of the popular dance show, and recently celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary.
Boss became a household name after he started deejaying on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2014, and remained a fixture of the series until its end in 2022.
Here’s everything to know about the timeline of Boss and Holker’s relationship.
Meeting on ‘SYTYCD’
The dancers met in 2010 during Season 7 of “SYTYCD,” but Boss didn’t realize his future wife was flirting with him.
“She says she made the first move,” he told “Dance Spirit” magazine in August 2012. “I was completely oblivious to it. I’m really thickheaded.”
Holker added, “From the first week of ‘SYTYCD’ as All-Stars, I thought he was the cutest guy ever. His personality was so fun.”
Their relationship was cemented when they danced the night away at the show’s wrap party.
“I saw him at the other end of the room, and he pointed and did this little ‘come here’ motion,” Holker added.
Boss chimed in, “We went upstairs and danced for three hours straight … we danced the entire night, and we’ve been together ever since.”
Tying the knot
The couple said “I do” after three years together on Dec. 10, 2013. They shared their first dance to “One and Only” by Adele.
In true dancer fashion, the newlyweds surprised their guests with a performance set to the tune of Justin Bieber’s “Somebody to Love.”
“We always end up smiling and laughing with each other [while dancing],” Holker told Us Weekly in 2020, noting the importance of dance in their relationship.
“No matter what’s happening in the day, we know we can check in with each other and dance and it kind of makes everything go away, and it’s so much better.”
Expanding their family
Holker was already a mother of one when she met Boss, as she gave birth to daughter Weslie Renae with an ex in 2008. During their marriage, Boss adopted Weslie.
The couple then welcomed their first child together in March 2016 — a baby boy named Maddox.
“Our MADDOX is like the beginning of all things – wonder, hope, and a dream of possibilities,” Holker wrote on Instagram after giving birth to her son.
“My life and our families home is changed forever. He blessed our lives exactly a week ago and it will never be the same again, and he has brought such a beautiful joy with him. We will let every moment sink in and last a lifetime! This is our family, our happiness and our future.”
Almost four years later, Holker and Boss welcomed a baby girl named Zaia.
“Both of our children are so excited,” Holker told Us Weekly in June 2019, just months before she gave birth in November.
“Maddox is still, I think, figuring out what is really going on with the whole scenario. We keep saying that there’s going be a new baby. He talks to the baby,” she added.
Putting their relationship to the test
Much like couples all over the world, the coronavirus lockdown tested Boss and Holker’s marriage.
“I think where we really luck out being together is that we actually like each other as well,” Holker told Us Weekly during the 2020 lockdown.
“Love is obviously what a relationship is, like, really based off. Some of those people forget just to like each other.”
Boss chimed in, “We get to see how we really work together when we really have no choice of going anywhere at all. That’s where all of that comes into play. It’s just, like, thoroughly enjoying each other’s company and stuff like that, and reaching a deeper level of understanding with each other.”
Celebrating a major milestone
The couple celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary on Dec. 10, 2022, and marked the milestone with sweet social media posts.
“It’s our 9th anniversary!! I couldn’t be more grateful to celebrate this perfect magical day!!!” Holker gushed in an Instagram tribute.
“Saying YES to @sir_twitch_alot has been one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life!! I feel so blessed and loved!!” she continued. “I love you baby and I will never take you or OUR love for granted! I LOVE YOU #happyanniversary#bosswedding2013.”
The late DJ also marked the milestone with his own Instagram tribute to his wife, writing, “Happy anniversary my love @allisonholker#9years ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.”
Remembering Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss
After it was confirmed the “SYTYCD” alum died by suicide in Los Angeles, Holker issued a heartbreaking statement.
“To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt,” she said.
“I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honor his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children.”
Holker concluded her statement with a message for her late husband: “Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
