TW: suicide.
My partner and I first saw tWitch perform on So You Think You Can Dance, Season 4, when he was selected to be in Top 20 dancers. He was instantly likeable — not only as a dancer that could perform amazing feats of art and athleticism, but also as an upbeat spirit that filled the room with energy through the screen.
While he specialized in hip-hop dancing, could convincingly pull off any style. It’s no surprise that tWitch went on to be the runner-up his season.
Perhaps his most memorable performance during his time with the show was when he teamed up with Alex Wong (another amazing SYTYCD alumni). My partner and I were literally standing and cheering while watching it. The live audience and judges gave them both a standing O.
However, it definitely wasn’t Boss’s only memorable moment — like this performance alongside kickass dancer Lauren Froderman (and winner of season 7.) In fact, he elevated everyone he danced next to. He would later become a judge on the dance competition, elevating a new generation of dancers.
He dated another incredible dance contestant, Allison Holker, after they met during season 7 of the show. He apparently proposed to her during a commercial shoot, which I didn’t know until right now.
They were raising three children together. The family often shared their antics on social media, and by all measures, seemed as happy as can be. Boss and Holker had just celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary.
…
A group of us were on our way to a buffet lunch today when someone mentioned that tWitch had died. I thought (and hoped) they meant the livestreaming platform, not our beloved dancer.
However, we were shocked to hear that not only he had passed, but also how it happened. Multiple news outlets including Buzzfeed are reporting that Boss took his own life.
It was a sobering moment right before we entered the restaurant. If I hadn’t skipped breakfast on purpose, I probably wouldn’t have been able to eat at all. I don’t usually get that bothered by celebrity deaths, but tWitch really seemed like a good man. Someone you’d want to hang out with, maybe even confide in. Someone humble despite their obvious talents.
We don’t know many details of what happened, as it’s still a developing story. I don’t want to speculate on what may have driven him to this, but I can only imagine he didn’t think he had any other options. I imagine there was unimaginable pain hiding behind the persona that many of us grew to love.
No matter what details come out, I will remember tWitch as an amazing dancer, and from all accounts, a great husband and father. Let this be a reminder that anyone — even the shiniest of people — could be fighting a battle we don’t know about.
It’s true that it takes strength to dance through distress — but it also takes strength to reach out for help.
RIP tWitch.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: Michael Afonso on Unsplash
The post The Death of Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss Reminds Us We All Hide Pain appeared first on The Good Men Project.
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