How did Ellen DeGeneres honor tWitch on the anniversary of his death? Former host reflects on friendship through a symbolic memorial

Critics Choice Association
Critics Choice Association's 5th Annual Celebration Of Black Cinema & Television - Source: Getty

It's been three years since Stephen 'tWitch' Boss’ death. The dancer and actor died in December 2022 at age 40. His death was ruled a suicide. Former TV host Ellen DeGeneres marked the painful anniversary with an emotional post on Instagram. She remembered her late friend and former colleague by showcasing the tree she planted in his honor in Rwanda.

Ellen posted a collage of photos showcasing the tree thriving among bees, butterflies, and birds. She captioned the post:

“I planted a tree for tWitch at my campus in Rwanda. This is what it looks like today. Look at all the beautiful life it nourishes every day. I miss you friend.”

More details as family and friends pay tribute to Stephen 'tWitch' Boss

Stephen Boss was married to Allison Holker at the time of his death. They had three children together: Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia. Allison also paid tribute to her late husband via her Instagram. She shared a series of family photos and dance videos and captioned them:

“Today is the 3-year Stephen tWitch Boss anniversary day 12/13/2022. We honor you and cherish all of our beautiful memories with you. We loved laughing, creating and dancing. We will love you forever.”

She added:

“I recently saw some beautiful posts. Thank you for your endless love and support. It means the world to me and my kids.”

Boss’s mother, Connie Boss Alexander, was among the many who paid tribute to the dance. She wrote:

“Three years feels like an eternity, yet somehow only a drop in time. I miss you so much. I still catch myself looking for your text or your call.”
The Inaugural Dance Hall Of Fame Ceremony Honoring The Most Influential Artists In Dance History - Source: Getty
The Inaugural Dance Hall Of Fame Ceremony Honoring The Most Influential Artists In Dance History - Source: Getty

On December 3, Stephen ‘tWitch’ was honored at the Dance Hall of Fame Ceremony. His former co-star Channing Tatum paid him a very emotional tribute.

“I promised myself I wasn't going to cry. I do this because tWitch made me laugh all the time. But to say that it is an honor to sit up here and talk about that man is an understatement to say the least.”

He added:

“He made all of us fall in love with him and he rose everyone in the room. He came in the room just, I don't know, he just filled it up. He filled it up. He made you want to be better at anything that you wanted to be. He accepted you for who you were, who you wanted to be or wherever you were going. He wanted to help, and he wanted to be there.”

Concluding the lenghty statement, Tatum was grateful to call the dancer his friend.

“It was an honor to know him. It was an honor to call him a friend, and I will see him again.”

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Edited by Onuh Eunice