One of Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ longtime colleagues is defending the late dancer’s friends for sharing stories and photos of themselves with Boss in light of his tragic death.
“So many people on social media are posting pictures of themselves with Twitch. Talking about their close friendships with him. Talking about the texts they exchanged with him last week. Talking about the conversation they had had with him,” former “Ellen DeGeneres Show” producer Andy Lassner wrote via Instagram, days after Boss was found dead in a Los Angeles motel room on Tuesday.
“The thing is, it’s all true. Everything is real.
Lassner, who worked with the dancer-turned-DJ for nearly a decade, continued, “Those who knew him weren’t trying to create this tragedy on themselves. They were just trying to tell you who Twitch was.
Lassner pointed out in his post — which was liked by the likes of Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Aniston and Kris Jenner — that Boss makes everyone feel like “the most important person in the world.”
“And he did that for everyone. Not just the people he needed or who were “important”. He did it for everyone. It doesn’t seem real. But he is. All that,” he explained.
“He really cared about every single person who worked on the show and everyone in his life. And the thing is, if you’ve only met him once, you’ve had that feeling. That light. That’s why I think you and I are suffering. Because we all relied on him. He was our flame. Our joy. Our dancer.
As Page Six previously reported, Boss took his own life on Tuesday at the age of 40. The “So You Think You Can Dance” alum is survived by his wife, fellow dancer Allison Holker, and their three children, Weslie, 14, Maddox, 6, and Zaïa, 3.
Boss reportedly used a ride-sharing service to drive from his Los Angeles home to the Oak Tree Inn in Encino, Calif., on Monday night. The Los Angeles County medical examiner later confirmed that Boss died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that there were “no signs of foul play”.
Lassner’s post, which featured a black-and-white image of the dancer, noted that no one knew about the “heavy burden” Boss was carrying.
“He must have been so tired. But we didn’t know that because he never wanted it to be about him. Never,” the TV producer shared.
“So now we can spend all of our time wondering why and how and never be satisfied with the answers we imagine. Or we can focus on gratitude for the gift he has given us by allowing us to take the light of his flame.
News of Boss’ passing was confirmed by Holker, 34, in a statement to People earlier this week. “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must share that my husband, Stephen, has left us,” she said.
Lassner and Boss worked together for nearly a decade on the daytime TV show.
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“Stephen lit up every room he walked in. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him,” she continued.
“He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”
Boss and Holker, who met while filming “SYTYCD,” celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary days before his sudden death.
“Saying YES to @sir_twitch_alot was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life!! I feel so blessed and loved!!” Holker wrote at the time. “I love you baby and I will never take you or OUR love for granted! I LOVE YOU.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988.
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