Video of The Ellen DeGeneres Show executive producer standing in front of Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who committed himself on Tuesday, and pleading with colleagues to “reach out” and not “stay in the misery,” has surfaced online.
The executive producer of the program, Andy Lassner, urges the crew in the video to “reach out to each other” since they all understand what one another is going through.
Behind Lassner as he delivers the moving message during the last episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show in May of last year is Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss.
Stephen “tWitch” Boss committed himself; his corpse was discovered on Tuesday at a motel in California.
Lassner asked the cast of the program to reach out to one another and express their suffering in a video that Johanna Fuentes, a former senior communications officer for Warner Bros., uploaded on Instagram.
As the program is nearing to a close and the emotional toll it has taken on everyone, Lassner expresses his sorrow to the workers as Boss and colleague producer Mary Connelly are standing behind him.
“This is a major life transformation.” At the conclusion of the last recording of the program, Lassner addressed the crew, “And we’re all going through it.”
Standing on the well-known set with a drink in one hand and a microphone in the other, Lassner said: “It’s okay to be sad and to reach out to each other because nobody knows this exact experience except for the people who worked here, the people who represent Ellen, and the people at Warner Bros. who take good care of her.”
“We have all experienced this, and we all experienced it.” And we experienced it together.
Lassner said, “You people should feel happy that you’ve stuck it out, you got through it,” as there was obviously a gloomy atmosphere in the room. You must see the results of our 19-year efforts.
But remain close to one another. Don’t ignore your anguish. Speak with someone.
Johanna Fuentes said in the description for the video that she has “been pulling for Twitch through every chapter,” starting with the first time she watched him perform on SYTYCD (So You Think You Can Dance) and continuing through all subsequent events, including our work at WB [Warner Bros.] and Ellen.
She referred to Boss’ departure as “devastating” and praised him as “an extraordinary talent who brought pleasure to every place he stepped into.”
Fuentes continued by expressing her “devastation” for Boss’ 34-year-old wife Allison Holker, their three children, as well as his extended family and friends.
She said, “He was such a brilliant light.”
Fuentes quoted the heartfelt remarks of the Lassner from the now-terrorizing tape, saying, “Let’s keep each other near. Speak to someone; don’t wallow in your suffering. Anyone.’
At about 11:15 am on Tuesday, Boss was discovered dead in a room at the Oak Tree Motel in Los Angeles, which is roughly a 15-minute walk from his house.
The dancer and DJ’s bodies were found by a maid while doing a welfare check after the guest did not check out on time, according to motel officials.
They said that he checked into the hotel on Monday under his own identity and that he was not found until Tuesday morning.
After conducting an autopsy, the Los Angeles Medical Examiner determined that Boss had died from a “self-inflicted” gunshot wound to the head.
The situation was described as “very awful” by motel staff who said that he “shot himself in the head,” but no one heard the gunshot.
Just three days before to the catastrophe, Boss and his wife Allison Holker celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary. To commemorate the event, they shared an emotional dance video online.
He left the house without his vehicle on Monday, and when he didn’t come home by Tuesday, his wife hurried into the nearest LAPD station to report him.
In 2013, Boss wed dancer Allison Holker, and the two of them co-hosted “Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings” on Disney+.
From 2014 until its finale in 2022, Boss worked on Ellen’s program. In 2020, he was promoted to executive producer.
Together, the couple has three children: Weslie, 14; Maddox, 6; and Zaia, 3.
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must disclose that my husband Stephen has left us, Holker stated in a statement to People.
Stephen brought light into every space he entered. Above all things, he treasured his family, friends, and community. He believed that the best way to lead was to lead with love and light.
He served as the foundation of our family, was the finest husband and father, and served as an example to his followers.
“To say he left a legacy is an understatement, and his beneficial influence will endure.
There won’t be a day that goes by that we don’t remember him, I’m certain of that. During this trying time for me and particularly for our three children, we kindly request your privacy.
We will always keep the final dance for you, Stephen, and we love and miss you.
I’m saddened, said Ellen DeGeneres in a statement she also issued. tWitch was just pure light and love. I had nothing but love to give him since he was my family.
“I won’t forget him. Please offer Allison and his adorable kids Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia some love and support.
»Ellen DeGeneres producer speaks with Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss«