Stephen "tWitch" Boss

Stephen Laurel "tWitch" Boss (September 29, 1982 – December 13, 2022) was an American freestyle hip hop dancer, choreographer, actor, television producer, and television personality. In 2008, he finished in second place on the American version of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). From 2014 to May 2022, he was featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show as a repeated guest host and he was also a co-executive producer of the program. He was featured in Ellen's Game of Games as a sidekick to DeGeneres. Between 2018 and 2020, he and his wife, Allison Holker, hosted Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings on Freeform and Disney+.

"tWitch" redirects here. For other uses, see Twitch.

Stephen "tWitch" Boss
Boss in 2014
Born
Stephen Laurel Boss

(1982-09-29)September 29, 1982
Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
DiedDecember 13, 2022(2022-12-13) (aged 40)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Dancer
  • choreographer
  • actor
  • television producer
  • television personality
Years active2003–2022
Television
Spouse
​
(m. 2013)​
Children3

Early life

Boss was born on September 29, 1982, to Connie Boss Alexander and Sandford Rose in Montgomery, Alabama.[1] He graduated from Lee High School in 2000 and studied dance performance at Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, Alabama, and Chapman University.[2]

Career

In 2003, Boss was a semifinalist on MTV's The Wade Robson Project and a runner-up on the television talent competition Star Search.[3] He choreographed routines for South Korean pop/R&B singer Seven and helped train other YG Entertainment artists including Big Bang.[4] In 2007, he was an uncredited "flamboyant dancer" in Blades of Glory and a Maybelle's Store Dancer in Hairspray.[5][6]

After competing in So You Think You Can Dance, he taught dancing at South County Classical Ballet with fellow finalist Katee Shean.[7][8] On April 30, 2013, he and Allison Holker performed a dance routine on Dancing with the Stars. They danced to "Crystallize" which was performed live by Lindsey Stirling.[9]

Beginning on April 1, 2014, Boss was featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show as a guest DJ. In October 2014, he announced that he had been cast in Magic Mike XXL.[10] On August 17, 2020, he became a co-executive producer of Ellen DeGeneres' daytime talk show.[11][12]

Boss was cast as Marcel X in the superhero movie Perfectus and later he had a feature role in the movie Ushers.[13] He was a member of the dance troupes Breed OCLA and Chill Factor Crew.[14]

So You Think You Can Dance
Main article: So You Think You Can Dance (American TV series)

Boss first auditioned in 2007 for Season 3 of the show and appeared on the program but was not selected to be in the Top 20.[15] He returned to audition again in Season 4 in 2008; he was selected to compete in the Top 20 and finished the competition as runner-up to fellow hip-hop dancer Joshua Allen.[16][17] During Season 4 he danced with Katee Shean to a contemporary piece choreographed by Mia Michaels. The dance was nominated for an Emmy for choreography in the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards.[18][19]

In season 5, Boss appeared again on So You Think You Can Dance with fellow season 4 contestant Katee Shean to perform their Emmy-nominated piece "Mercy," choreographed by Mia Michaels. He was one of the eleven "All-Stars" in season 7.[20] He was an All-Star in Seasons 7, 8, and 9 of So You Think You Can Dance, performing memorable routines including the hip hop number "Outta Your Mind" with ballet dancer Alex Wong, which was reprised by Ellen DeGeneres in Season 7's finale.[21] He was the team captain for "Team Street" in Season 12 of So You Think You Can Dance. He was announced as a permanent judge for the seventeenth season in 2022.[22]

Twitch and Allison Holker, his wife, had an apparel line of athleisure named "DSG x tWitch + Allison Collection" which was sold by Dick's Sporting Goods.[23][24]

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings is a documentary television series featuring couples and their Disney-themed weddings, airing on Disney's Freeform network and the Disney+ streaming service. The show is a behind-the-scenes program featuring the weddings and engagements of couples at Disney destinations including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and at Aulani in Hawaii.[25] On October 17, 2017, Freeform announced the production of a seven-episode series to be released in the summer of 2018; it was hosted by Boss and Allison Holker. In November 2017, Freeform added a December 11, 2017, hour-long special, "Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic" as a part of its "25 Days of Christmas" event.[26] Season 2 premiered on Disney+ on February 14, 2020.[27]

Personal life
Boss and Allison Holker in 2014

On December 10, 2013, Boss and fellow SYTYCD alum Allison Holker married at Nigel Lythgoe's Villa San Juliette Vineyard and Winery in Paso Robles, California.[28] He also adopted Holker's daughter. Their son was born in March 2016,[29][30] and their daughter was born in November 2019.[31][32]

Death

On December 13, 2022, Boss was found dead in Encino, Los Angeles. His death was ruled suicide by self inflicted gunshot wound to the head.[6][33][34][35] He was 40 years old.

Boss' remains were interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.[36]

Net worth and salary

Net worth

At the time of his death, tWitch had an estimated net worth of $5 Million

Salary

tWitch made $500,000 per season during his first two seasons on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." He was paid $1 million per season near the conclusion of the show's existence after being elevated to executive producer.

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2007Blades of GloryFlamboyant DancerUncredited[6][5]
HairsprayMaybelle's Store Dancer[6][5]
2010Stomp the Yard: HomecomingTaz[37]
Step Up 3DJason Hardlerson[37]
2012Step Up Revolution
2014Step Up: All In
2015Magic Mike XXLMalik[37]
2022The Hip Hop Nutcracker DadDisney+ release; final role[37]

Television
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2008So You Think You Can DanceRunner-up[6]
2010BonesRussell Leonard[37]
2011So You Think You Can DanceAll Star[6]
TouchThe Beastmaster[38]
2012So You Think You Can DanceAll Star[6]
Drop Dead DivaBilly DonaldsonTV series, Season 6 episode 2: "Soulmates"[37]
2013So You Think You Can DanceAll Star[6]
Dancing with the Stars[37]
2014–2022The Ellen DeGeneres ShowShow DJ/Host[37]
2015Bound & BabysittingEthanTV film[37]
So You Think You Can DanceTeam Captain-Team Street[6]
2017–2021Ellen's Game of GamesAnnouncer[37]
2017–2020Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings[37]
2018Modern FamilyEpisode: "Wine Weekend"[37]
Young & HungryHimself[39]
2018So You Think You Can DanceJudge[37]
2021Clash of the Cover BandsHost[37]
2022The Real Dirty DancingHost[37]
So You Think You Can DanceJudge[37]
Play-Doh Squished Judge Episode: "Space"

Web series
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2010The Legion of Extraordinary DancersLXD TrainerSeason 2, Episode 1[40]
Teacher, StudentSeason 2, Episode 2[40]
2011The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers: The Secrets of the RaDr. E[41]
2016LoveDoobieEpisode 6[42]

Awards

References
  1. Jacobs, Julia (December 14, 2022). "Stephen Boss, Dancer and Reality TV Star Known as tWitch, Dies at 40". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  2. "tWitch | biography". www.appstate.edu.
  3. "Stephen "tWitch" Boss". TV Guide.
  4. "Stephen 'tWitch' Boss: Five Things to Know About the Magic Mike XXL Star". PEOPLE.
  5. "Stephen Boss". Kinorium.
  6. Evans, Greg (December 14, 2022). "Stephen "tWitch" Boss Dies: Longtime 'Ellen DeGeneres Show' DJ Was 40". deadline.com.
  7. Berman, Marc. "Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, Choreographer, TV Producer And Former 'Ellen' DJ, Dies At 40". Forbes. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  8. "O.C. kids cheer on their teachers on 'So You Think You Can Dance'". Orange County Register. June 18, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  9. Cohen, Joshua (May 2, 2013). "Lindsey Stirling Rocks Out With Her Violin On ABC". Tubefilter. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  10. Funk, Allie (July 2, 2015). "Who Does tWitch Play In 'Magic Mike XXL'? The 'So You Think You Can Dance' Star Is A Great Addition To The Sequel's Cast". Bustle.
  11. Donnelly, Matt (August 17, 2020). "'Ellen DeGeneres Show' Elevates DJ tWitch to Co-Executive Producer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  12. Andreeva, Nellie (August 17, 2020). "'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' Ousts Three Top Producers, Names DJ Stephen "tWitch" Boss Co-EP In Emotional Staff Meeting – Update". Deadline. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  13. Fernandez, Jay A. (July 27, 2010). "'SYTYCD' performer lands two film roles". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  14. Jane, Mary (October 29, 2018). "Stephen 'tWitch' Boss: Who is dancer performing on DWTS tonight?".
  15. Cesare, Corey (April 23, 2022). "8 Things to Know About 'So You Think You Can Dance' Judge Stephen "tWitch" Boss". Talent Recap.
  16. June 6, Adam B. Vary Updated; EDT, 2008 at 10:33 PM. "So You Think You Can Dance recap: Twenty Won". EW.com. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  17. "Stephen "tWitch" Boss: Dancing DJ on The Ellen Show dies aged 40". BBC News. December 14, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  18. "Outstanding Choreography – 2009". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 2009. So You Think You Can Dance. "Mercy". FOX. Mia Michaels. Choreographer.
  19. Connolly, Kelly (September 18, 2017). "'So You Think You Can Dance': 7 Essential Mia Michaels Routines". EW.com. Retrieved December 15, 2022. 4. "Mercy" (Season 4) ... Michaels is known for tapping into tough emotions, but she brought out her playful side for this Emmy-nominated breakup routine ... Katee and tWitch run away with this piece from the first kiss to the last slam of the door.
  20. Hughes, LeAndrea (April 30, 2022). "What tWitch Is Up To After So You Think You Can Dance Season 4". ScreenRant.
  21. "Outta Her Mind? Ellen DeGeneres Hits the 'SYTYCD' Stage". August 13, 2010. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  22. "So You Think You Can Dance: JoJo Siwa, Stephen 'tWitch' Boss and Matthew Morrison to Judge Season 17". Peoplemag. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  23. Henni, Janine (February 16, 2022). "Stephen 'tWitch' Boss and Allison Holker Launch 'Fly' Athleisure Line: 'It's Made for Everybody'". People.
  24. "DSG X Twitch + Allison Collection". Dick's Sporting Goods. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  25. Longeretta, Emily Longeretta, Emily (November 15, 2017). "Stephen 'tWitch' Boss and DWTS' Allison Holker to Host 'Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings'".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. "Announcing a Brand New TV Special – Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings: Holiday Magic". Disney Weddings. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  27. "Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings Season 2 Episodes". TVGuide.com. 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  28. Stephen "tWitch" Boss Marries Allison Holker: See Their Wedding Photo! by Allison Takeda in US Weekly published December 11, 2013
  29. Vulpo, Mike (October 5, 2015). "Allison Holker Is Pregnant! Dancing With the Stars Professional Dancer Expecting a Baby With tWitch". E! News. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  30. Adams, Char (December 11, 2015). "It'll Be a Boy for Allison Holker and Stephen 'tWitch' Boss". People. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  31. "Best Mother's Day Ever! Baby on the Way for Stephen 'tWitch' Boss and Allison Holker". People. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  32. "Allison Holker & Stephen 'tWitch' Boss Welcome Baby #2". Extra. November 7, 2019. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  33. Jackson, Dory; Chiu, Melody (December 14, 2022). "Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, Former Ellen DeGeneres Show DJ and SYTYCD All-Star, Dead at 40". People. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  34. "Case Detail – Medical Examiner-Coroner". Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner. County of Los Angeles.
  35. Vasquez, Whitney (December 14, 2022). "Stephen 'tWitch' Boss' Autopsy Complete, Cause Of Death Confirmed As Gunshot Wound To Head". RadarOnline. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  36. "Stephen "tWitch" Boss Laid to Rest in Private Funeral". January 5, 2023.
  37. "Stephen "tWitch" Boss". TVGuide.com.
  38. "Touch: Season 1, Episode 3" – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
  39. "Young & Hungry: Season 5, Episode 13" – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
  40. "Cast & Crew – The LXD: The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers". Kinorium.
  41. "Stephen Boss – Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com.
  42. Koski, Genevieve (February 24, 2016). "Love Recap: The Perils of Andy Dick". Vulture.
  43. France, Lisa Respers (December 14, 2022). "Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, DJ for 'Ellen DeGeneres Show,' dead at 40". CNN.
  44. "A Look Back on Some of Stephen 'tWitch' Boss's Most Memorable Dance Performances". Peoplemag.
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