Stephen "tWitch" Boss' widow says some of her kids still don't understand their father is never coming home ... a question that gets asked a lot in the aftermath of death.
Allison Holker Boss sat down for a televised interview with "Today," in which Hoda Kotb got her to open up about how she and her family are coping with tWitch's passing ... which happened just before the holidays, when he took his own life.
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As you can imagine, it's emotional ... but one of the more heartbreaking moments comes when Hoda asks her about the three children she shared with tWitch.
They had a 14-year-old, a 7-year-old and a 3-year-old ... Allison says at the younger ones, Maddox and Zaia, still can't comprehend their dad is gone forever -- asking their mom if he'll eventually come home.
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Allison says the conversations she's had with them these past several months are something she doesn't wish on anybody.
She also talks about the stigma of mental health -- a hurdle tWitch was privately battling. She wishes he would've felt comfortable to share his struggles.
As we reported ... tWitch left a suicide note alluding to past challenges, but Allison now says there was no outward indication she saw to suggest he was struggling or considering suicide.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Stephen "tWitch" Boss is getting an emotional goodbye from those closest to him this week ... with a larger gathering planned for the future to properly honor him en masse.
Sources within tWitch's inner circle tell TMZ ... the late media personality is being laid to rest Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles, in what we're told is going to be a small and intimate funeral attended by close family.
We're told there is going to be a larger celebration of life ceremony in the near future, which will be held for close friends and the people who Stephen considered his family.
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Presumably, the larger celebration would include Ellen DeGeneres and staff members from her show -- on which tWitch served as the DJ for years. The folks from "So You Think You Can Dance" would also likely be on the extended list for the memorial down the road.
TMZ broke the story ... tWitch took his own life last month, leaving behind a suicide note alluding to past struggles. Despite issues he was obviously dealing with, there didn't seem to be any sign, outwardly, that something was wrong ... as his death took everyone by surprise.
There has been an outpouring of tributes made in his honor from the entertainment industry and beyond -- including heartfelt condolences sent by Ellen herself.
He was 40.
RIP
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
9:49 AM PT -- Ellen DeGeneres just paid tribute to her friend, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, writing, "I'm heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children - Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia."
Stephen "tWitch" Boss, the famed DJ on Ellen DeGeneres' talk show, is dead ... and TMZ has learned it appears to be a suicide.
Law enforcement sources tell us Stephen's wife Allison Holker ran into an LAPD station Tuesday, and she was frantic because she said Stephen had left home without his car -- something that was not like him at all.
We're told, a short time later -- around 11:15 AM -- paramedics got a call for a medical emergency at an L.A. hotel ... and they found Stephen there, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Instagram / @allisonholker,sir_twitch_alot
Holker tells TMZ, "Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him."
She continues, "He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans. To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt. I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honor his memory."
Concluding, "Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you."
Stephen started DJing on Ellen's show in 2014, and was with her until the show ended in May 2022. He had become an executive producer on the show in 2020.
He really got his big break in showbiz in 2008, when he was runner-up on "So You Think Can Dance."
He went on to do some acting, landing several roles where he could show off his dance skills. Stephen played Jason in the 'Step Up' movie franchise, and he was also in "Magic Mike XXL."
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TMZ.com
The last time our photogs got him out around L.A. was back in September, and he talked to us about life after 'Ellen' ... sounding pretty happy to have more time with his family.
Stephen hosted several reality shows, like "The Real Dirty Dancing" -- which aired on FOX earlier this year -- and he and Allison teamed up for "Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings" on Disney+.
A statement from FOX Entertainment, 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions, reads, "We will always remember Stephen “tWitch” Boss for the light and joy he brought into our lives and into the hearts of so many. This tragic, painful loss of such a radiant, inimitable talent and beloved friend is immeasurable beyond words, and we grieve alongside his family, loved ones and fans. “tWitch,” we will miss you dearly.”
tWitch and Allison met on the all-star season of 'SYTYCD' -- they were both competing -- and they got married in 2013. Allison and Stephen had just celebrated their 9-year anniversary this past Saturday.
They had 3 kids. Stephen was 40 years old.
RIP
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Matthew Morrison is taking a stand against claims he sent "flirty" text messages to a contestant on "So You Think You Can Dance" ... reading the alleged message out loud, and putting an end to speculation it was inappropriate.
Morrison, who was recently released from the show for failing to follow "competition production protocols" is clearly agitated in a video he posted on Instagram, captioned, "Just to clarify .."
He opens it by saying, "It's unfortunate that I have to sit here and defend myself and my family against blatantly untrue statements made anonymously, but I have nothing to hide. So, in the interest of transparency ... I will read to you the one message I wrote to a dancer on the show."
He then reads the message, which we've verified as being sent on April 25 at 12:34 AM and says, "Hey! It's Matthew. If you don't mind, would love to get your number and talk you through some things ..."
Morrison then explains he wanted to connect with the contestant because they share a "mutual respect" for a choreographer, and he wanted to get said choreographer a job on the show.
Our sources say it was the contestant who reported the message to show producers as being potentially problematic.
Sources close to Morrison tell us he was unaware of the no contact rule in his judge's contract. We're told he's worked on dance shows in the U.K. where collabing with contestants was encouraged ... and didn't think it was going to be an issue.
He finishes his video with a message about gossip, and how toxic it can be to society before wishing all contestants and his former fellow judges all the best.
Shane Sparks -- best known as a judge on "America's Best Dance Crew" and choreographer on "So You Think You Can Dance" -- just got served ... divorce papers from his wife.
Diana Sparks filed legal docs Friday to end their marriage after 6 and a half years, citing irreconcilable differences. She lists the date of separation as January 1, 2018.
The couple wed in August 2011, and they don't have any kids together.
Diana tells TMZ ... the couple grew apart and the decision to divorce was mutual. "We are best friends and forever will remain family."
We broke the story ... Shane pled no contest to having unlawful sex with a minor under 16 in 2011 -- around the same time he got married. There were also allegations he raped a 12-year-old girl after driving her home from a dance class he taught. He served 135 days in jail.
Nigel Lythgoe says Ryan Seacrest should absolutely be allowed to continue hosting "American Idol" ... despite a sexual harassment allegation hanging over his head.
We got the "So You Think You Can Dance" judge Tuesday in Bev Hills, and he thinks the real reason A-list actresses avoided Seacrest at the Oscars is because of their publicists.
While Seacrest did nab some interviews -- like with Taraji P. Henson, who many thought threw shade his way -- the red carpet vet didn't talk to any of the Best Actress nominees.
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As for whether Ryan should be allowed to continue hosting the rebooted 'Idol' on ABC, Lythgoe says Seacrest can't be assumed to be guilty based on merely one allegation. He notes no other women have come forward.
Lythgoe is angry that people are getting fired before accusations are proven to be true. Bottom line ... based on his experience, he thinks Seacrest is innocent.
Joshua Allen -- the Season 4 winner of "So You Think You Can Dance" -- was sentenced to 1 year behind bars for attacking his girlfriend ... TMZ has learned.
Allen pled no contest Thursday to felony domestic violence and felony assault with a deadly weapon. He was then taken directly to jail. Allen wept in court after he was sentenced.
He also got 5 years probation and was ordered to complete 52 weeks of domestic violence classes. He can't go near the victim for a decade.
TMZ broke the story ... Allen went after his gf back in June and chased her into a coffee shop. When a woman tried stepping in, Allen allegedly threw a glass vase at her and trashed the shop before bystanders took him down.
Joshua Allen -- the season 4 winner of "So You Think You Can Dance" -- faces serious time behind bars after allegedly attacking his girlfriend twice in a 2-month span.
According to the D.A.'s Office ... Allen went after his girlfriend last month, chasing her inside a coffee shop when she tried to run away. When a woman tried to step in, Allen allegedly threw a glass vase at her and vandalized the shop before bystanders took him down.
He also strangled her in April, according to the D.A. At the time, she already had a criminal protective order against Allen for a prior domestic violence conviction.
Allen's been charged with 2 felony counts of willfully injuring his girlfriend, 1 felony assault with a deadly weapon ... and 4 misdemeanors related to battery, vandalism and violating the protective order.
If convicted ... he faces more than 10 years in prison.
The media giant behind "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance" has filed for bankruptcy, and part of the problem is ... 'Idol' was hemorrhaging money in its final seasons.
Core Media Group filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy Thursday morning saying it's several hundred million dollars in the hole, and needs to reorganize its debts. Core and all its subsidiaries say they have $73 million in assets, but more than $512 million in debt.
One of its biggest creditors is 'Idol' creator Simon Fuller, who is owed more than $3.3 million. Several law firms and music labels, as well as the FOX Network are also owed dough.
Core Media's filing includes many of its holdings, including 19 Entertainment which owns the recording rights of 'Idol' superstars like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.
In the bankruptcy docs, Core says revenue started sliding after 2012 when 'Idol' ratings started declining. For instance in 2014, earnings dropped $15 million from the previous year.
"So You Think You Can Dance" judge Mary Murphy is trying to get a judge to toss out the $200,000 default judgment her former manager won against her this week ... claiming it was a mistake by her lawyer that caused her to lose the case.
As TMZ first reported, Michael Sanchez sued Murphy back in May for lost commissions ... and along the way made some salacious accusations involving sex and drugs.
Earlier this week, Sanchez was awarded $205,160 -- plus 10% of any future earnings Murphy rakes in from SYTYCD -- because she failed to respond to the suit.
But according to docs filed right after the decision, Murphy's lawyer claims the fault lies entirely with her ... claiming she got her dates screwed up and that's why the answer wasn't filed on time.
The lawyer is asking the judge not to hold Murphy responsible for her mistake. The judge has yet to rule.
"So You Think You Can Dance" judge Mary Murphy just took a COSTLY trouncing in court at the hands of her ex-manager -- the one who called her a "cocaine-fueled nymphomaniac" ... TMZ has learned.
We broke the story ... Murphy was at WAR with her former manager Michael Sanchez ... who claimed he not only helped Murphy get the SYTYCD gig, but worked like a dog trying to protect her image ... while she got coked up and banged a SYTYCD producer.
Sanchez says Mary fired him and then stiffed him on commissions ... and he demanded more than $1 mil in damages.
But Mary never filed an official response to Sanchez's complaint ... so the the judge in the case issued a default judgment against Murphy -- awarding Sanchez $205,160 ... plus 10% of any future earnings Murphy rakes in from SYTYCD.
Sources close to Mary maintain Sanchez's accusations are totally false.
We're told Mary's attorney will file docs today to have the $200k judgement set aside.
As if doing flips on stage weren't dangerous enough, the brand new winners of "So You Think You Can Dance" showed off their wild acrobatics yesterday ... IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET ... and it was all caught on tape.
Eliana Girard and Chehon Wespi-Tschopp -- who just won "SYTYCD" Season 9 -- joined "SYTYCD" all-star Alex Wong in an L.A. crosswalk, showing off some impressive aerial maneuvers ... while the street was filled with traffic.
The video's pretty awesome -- the guys even bust out some 'Gangnam Style' moves ... like it's still three weeks ago.
"So You Think You Can Dance" choreographer Alex Da Silva has just been sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping a former dance student ... and assaulting another.
43-year-old Da Silva was arrested back in 2009 and charged with multiple felonies stemming from allegations he raped and sexually assaulted four women ... all former dance students between the ages of 20 and 26.
Da Silva was only convicted of one count of rape and one count of assault with intent to commit rape.
The jury deadlocked on the remaining charges, which were subsequently dismissed.
Da Silva -- who appeared on Seasons 1-4 of SYTYCD -- was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
Check out the clip below of Alex in action on Season 4 -- skip to 1:15.
