From his earliest days as a budding dancer, Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss proved himself a born entertainer, ‘lighting up each room he walked into’ along with his infectious power and over-the-top enthusiasm – which in the end propelled him into the intense lights of Hollywood stardom.
His dynamic character and keenness for motion earned him the nickname that may ultimately grow to be synonymous along with his starry persona – with audiences on the Ellen Present shouting it out on the high of their lungs for years.
tWitch’s tragic dying by suicide on the age of 40 this week marked a surprising and really sudden finish to what had been a strong and constructive ascent up the infamously-slippery celeb ladder.
tWitch and spouse Alison Holker are pictured at Disneyland in a promotional shot for his or her unscripted present Disney Fairy Story Weddings. The pair have been married for 9 years previous to his passing on Tuesday
In 2014, tWitch grew to become the in home DJ for the Ellen DeGeneres present earlier than turning into a co-executive producer of the daytime speak present in 2020
The true starting of the prolific performer’s rise to fame occurred when he positioned second on So You Suppose You Can Dance in 2008, opening the door to many entertainment-industry alternatives
The social media star, who was born in Montgomery, Alabama, burst onto the scene with the identical dynamism that he displayed in his dancing – a ardour that started as a younger youngster, who could not cease shifting and liked to placed on performances in his household house.
These early abilities began as nothing greater than the idea for a foolish nickname, however they’d ultimately create the inspiration for a powerful profession that crossed from speak exhibits into actuality collection and, lastly, into social media superstardom.
Previous to his premature dying by a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Tuesday, tWitch grew to become a celebrated entertainer over the past decade by his high-spirited dance movies and numerous roles on actuality tv, social media, and flicks.
tWitch’s rise to fame: How the traditional Alabama child with a love of dancing discovered fame after showing on So You Suppose You Can Dance? in 2008
The Alabama native studied dance on the Southern Union State Group School and Chapman College, earlier than relocating to Los Angeles to pursue his profession.
It was as a teen that he earned the nicknamed tWitch, because of his curiosity within the type of dance generally known as ‘popping’ – which consists of a collection of jerky moments that his friends felt reminded them of any individual ‘twitching.’
‘I used to be at all times spinning and staying in movement,’ he beforehand informed Kam Williams, including of the nickname, ‘I do not thoughts it in any respect. It is part of my being, it is grow to be a part of my persona.’
Folks quickly began referring to him as tWitch, and he defined that had beforehand known as his automotive – a Toyota Paseo – the identical nickname, so the moniker was further particular to him.
‘A variety of my dance information and plenty of my dance ideas happened in that automotive,’ he defined.
In 2003, he made his foray into the world of actuality tv when he appeared on MTV’s The Manner Robson Undertaking, the place he got here in third place. He then had a stint on the revival of Star Search, throughout which, he was a runner up.
Early on his profession, he additionally helped choreograph dances for numerous artists together with South Korean pop star Seven and the Ok-pop band Large Bang.
He then branched out into appearing, touchdown a small position as an uncredited ‘flamboyant dancer’ within the film Blades of Glory, in addition to a background dancer within the flick Hairspray.
However his large breakthrough got here in 2008, when he competed within the third season of So You Suppose You Can Dance? and got here in second place.
tWitch’s continued success: The star spent years instructing dance to others, earlier than touchdown a task on The Ellen Present in 2014
tWitch (far left) had roles in a variety of dance-centric films, together with Magic Mike XXL, and a number of other of the Step Up sequels
After tWitch’s success on So You Suppose You Can Dance? he taught dancing alongside fellow finalist Katee Shean on the South County Classical Ballet college.
He additionally went on to make appearances on the present as an All Star dancer, and carried out on Dancing With the Stars in 2013.
Maybe most notably, in 2014, tWitch grew to become the in home DJ for Ellen DeGeneres’ long-running daytime speak present. A number of years later, the pair teamed up for Ellen’s Sport of Video games. And in 2020, he was made a co-executive producer of the present previous to its finish in 2021.
He additionally continued to behave. In 2010, tWitch starred as Jason Hardlerson within the third movie from the Step Up franchise – Step Up 3D. He subsequently appeared in 2012’s Step up Revolution and 2014’s Step Up: All In.
In 2022, tWitch was made a everlasting decide on So You Suppose You Can Dance
His most up-to-date movie, Hip hop Nutcracker, was launched on November 25.
In 2010, tWitch starred as Jason Hardlerson within the third movie from the Step Up franchise – Step Up 3D. He subsequently appeared in 2012’s Step up Revolution and 2014’s Step Up: All In.
Previous to his passing, tWitch was introduced as a everlasting decide for So You Suppose You Can Dance? in 2022.
tWitch’s private life: He married fellow skilled dancer Alison Holker in 2013, and collectively, they welcomed two kids
Boss is survived by his spouse and their three kids, Weslie, 14, Maddox, 6, and Zaia, 3
In 2013, tWitch married fellow skilled dancer and Dancing With the Stars alumna Alison Holker, 34, with whom he shared two kids and one from a earlier relationship of Holker’s.
Followers bought a more in-depth have a look at his house life throughout the pandemic when he and Alison started posting fun-loving dance movies throughout lockdown – and he was quickly shot into social media stardom.
He typically showcased his epic dance strikes and brilliant character on movies shared to his Instagram and TikTok – the place he racked up greater than 3.4 million followers and 4.9 followers respectively.
The couple informed US in 2020 that they began sharing the movies in an try to ‘discover the silver lining’ throughout lockdown.
‘We get to see how we actually work collectively after we actually haven’t any alternative of going wherever in any respect, you understand, and that’s the place all of that comes into play,’ tWitch informed the outlet.
Simply days earlier than his passing, tWitch and Holker celebrated their ninth marriage ceremony anniversary with social media tributes to at least one one other and loved-up dance movies.
The household man and his spouse and youngsters incessantly made crimson carpet appearances collectively
‘It is our ninth anniversary! I could not be extra grateful to have a good time this good magical day,’ Allison gushed.
‘Saying YES to @sir_twitch_alot has been the most effective choices I’ve ever made in my life!
‘I really feel so blessed and liked! I like you child and I’ll by no means take you or OUR love with no consideration! I LOVE YOU.’
In a tribute to her late husband following his dying, Alison wrote, ‘Stephen lit up each room he stepped into.
‘He valued household, mates and group above all else and main with love and lightweight was every thing to him.
‘He was the spine of our household, one of the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his followers.
‘To say he left a legacy could be an understatement, and his constructive impression will proceed to be felt.
The pair have been mother and father to son Maddox and daughter Zaia, aged six and three, respectively.
After their marriage, tWitch additionally adopted Alison’s daughter Weslie, 14, from a earlier relationship.
