Allison Holker Boss, the wife of late DJ and dancer Stephen “tWitch” Boss, has spoken about her grief in her first interview since his death in December 2022, opening up to People about their marriage.
“We’d have so many random conversations, and there was so much laughter,” she said. “Our love was so real and so loud. We always told people our house was like a choreographed dance… Stephen brought so much joy to this world, and he deserves to be remembered as the beautiful man he was.”
Boss also spoke frankly about how she has struggled to come to terms with the happy front that tWitch presented to the world prior to his suicide. “No one had any inkling that he was low,” she said. “He didn’t want people to know. He just wanted to be everyone’s Superman and protector… It’s been really hard because I can’t understand what was happening in that moment.”
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In December 2022, Dr. Gregory Allan Brown reflected on why tWitch’s death was so hard to process for many people, and counted himself among them. “Suicide can be difficult to predict—that includes for psychiatrists like me,” he said. “Oftentimes, even close friends and family don’t see it coming. Some people who are depressed are very good at hiding it. They go to work, they smile, they appear to be happy.”
Brown reiterated the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding this topic. That means talking openly about it, and learning to spot the signs that somebody might be experiencing suicidal thoughts.
The news of tWitch’s death prompted many of his famous friends and colleagues to share messages encouraging anybody who might be suffering with depression to seek help. Earlier this year, Boss established the Move With Kindness Foundation to support mental health organizations as a way to honor tWitch’s memory.
“We always hear, ‘Reach out to the strongest people,’ and I believe in that,” she continued. “But I also want the messaging to be that if you’re feeling low or depressed, it’s okay to lean on someone else… Trust that people are still going to see you as that light even in your darkest moments.”
If you are having suicidal thoughts call 988 to speak to a trained professional. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Philip Ellis is a freelance writer and journalist from the United Kingdom covering pop culture, relationships and LGBTQ+ issues. His work has appeared in GQ, Teen Vogue, Man Repeller and MTV.
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