Explanation of Allison Holker’s Play With tWitch Family, Friends

Allison Holker‘s So Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light A memoir has sparked various reactions from the dance community and the late husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss‘ a family.

Before publishing the book, Holker, 36, spoke to People in an interview published on Tuesday, January 7, claiming that she had learned that Boss had have struggled with addiction, childhood sexual abuse and more in journal entries she read after his death. (Boss died by suicide in December 2022 aged 40.)

After the interview, a number of Boss’s friends and relatives were frustrated that Holker chose to detail his apparent struggles in her memoir and magazine interview. Holker, for her part, has said that her intention is to shed light on addiction and mental health struggles to help others.

“Just trying to help people feel safe to ask for help and support,” she wrote via Instagram comment on Tuesday, responding to one critical comment online.

Holker also reposted several positive comments from fans on his Instagram Story. One read, “@allisonholker is such a brave woman. These past few years have been painful for anyone who was a fan of Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss. I was heartbroken when I heard what happened. She is an example of how persistence can pay off.”

Another fan praised Holker for “paving the way (she did)” adding, “You always take everything with such grace, power and positivity. Nobody likes you.”

Us Weekly has reached out to Holker’s team for comment.

Holker later shared what she said was her “sole intention” in writing about Boss in her memoir.

“I want to be clear about that my only intention writing the book is to share my own story as well as part of my life with Stephen,” she wrote via Instagram Story on Wednesday, January 8. “Just like you, I never knew what happened and even as I’m trying to put the pieces together, I’ll never really know. If you decide to read the book, I hope you will see that my intention is to celebrate the love and life I shared with Stephen and our three beautiful children and also the more complex aspects of both of our lives.”

She added, “I hope that by sharing our full story, maybe I can help someone else who might see themselves in Stephen or someone I love. By sharing, I hope they might be able to catch some of the red flags I missed before it’s too late.”

According to Holker, she has spoken to multiple advocates since Boss’s death to better “educate” herself on mental health issues. She further revealed that all proceeds from her memoir will go to fund “a foundation focused on mental health (she) started in Stephen’s honor, Move With Kindness.”

“My hope is that we don’t need to lose another husband, brother, father or friend to suicide,” he concluded. “I believe that if Stephen could choose, he would choose to have his story told if it meant saving even one life. Much love to everyone who has supported our family for many years.”

Keep scrolling to see how Boss’ friends and family – as well as the entire dance community – reacted to the biography revelations:

Courtney Platt

Platt appeared on season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance alongside Boss and returned as an All-Star for season 7 alongside Boss and Holker. Take to Instagram on Tuesday, Platt said she has been there for all of Holker and Boss’ biggest relationship milestones.

“This is by far the most opportunistic, classless and opportunistic act I have ever seen in my entire life,” Platt claimed. “We all had to sign a weird NDA to attend his funeral (even his own mother who you’ve treated like garbage all this time and let’s remember you wouldn’t even have husband if it wasn’t for her) not to share anything or ruin his name as if that was on anyone’s mind in the first place and he went to write a book with all the dirty laundry spilling his name and trying to dim the light bright, faithful, loving, was your husband, my friend.”

He added, “Whether any of it is true or not is really beside the point. This is how you defend the ‘Boss name’ you dropped so quickly on your social media platforms 48 hours after it passed? His legacy? This is how you protect his children from any further shame, hurt and despair? Is this what you want them to remember? You’ve moved on, you’re living your life, you’re on every carpet you can get on, every celebrity row you can sit in, every magazine you can be in and you needed to do this? Have a journal, a therapist, a friend… but publish a book shamelessly sharing the pages of your husband’s journal? A people magazine? What a joke.”

Platt further pleaded: “Let my friend Rest In Peace not your PR.”

Comfort Fedoke

Fedoke, another SYTYCD former student who recently served as a mentor on season 18 alongside Holkerreshared Platt’s message on his Instagram Stories.

“Lies and Fairy Tales,” Fedoke wrote. “Stephen told me this in my dreams when he passed: Nothing is as it seems. (Courtney,) I am right behind you. I’m done with this girl. You are a bad woman and absolutely disgusting. How dare you try to ruin my brother’s name.”

Chelsea Hightower

High Tower— a SYTYCD a Dancing With The Stars alum – noted in an Instagram Story post on Tuesday that she had known Holker “since my early teens” and was disappointed by the biography’s claims.

“Seeing her choose to share such deeply personal details about tWitch’s struggles feels so disappointing and inappropriate,” he wrote. “Twitch was an extremely kind and loving man, who always looked out for others, making everyone feel included and valued, myself included. He deserves to be remembered for the light he brought into this world, not reduced to his struggles.”

Hightower further noted that Platt’s comments “speak to the heart of this situation.”

Rosetown

Boss’s brother has reposted several critical comments on his Instagram Story.

“No lies were told,” he wrote, linking to Platt’s post.

She is Black

“She won’t let our family see the kids,” Boss’s cousin claimed X. “He wasn’t addicted. He was smoking weed and was actively trying to quit. He wasn’t some junkie. … All she claims is ‘Weed and mushrooms and some pills’ but she doesn’t specify the pills. And weed and sides. I get that maybe we have different views on it but she’s framing it like METH did or something like bffr.”

Jenna Dewan

Dewan, a friend of Holker’s, praised Holker’s authenticity in an Instagram Story post, which Holker uploaded on her page.

“Love u @allisonholker,” Dewan wrote. “Sharing this will help others know to reach out for help.”

Danielle Polanco

Pro dancer Polanco, who appeared in the Step Up franchise with Boss, trying to hold on to the positive memories of Boss.

“We miss our boy,” he wrote through Instagram attention “Everyone who knew him, let’s keep his amazing memory alive by talking about how amazing he really was. I just remember every time he was in NYC he would want to know where to go for the underground house and hip-hop parties. It was a real one.”

He added, “Always ready to learn more. I wasn’t very close to him but I miss his smile, his talent and his general presence in general. What a beautiful guy ❤️.”

Connie Boss Alexander

Boss’s mother welcome the criticism in a statement on social media on Thursday, January 9.

“Our family is completely appalled by the misleading and damaging allegations made about my son, Stephen Boss. The recent publications spreading falsehoods about Stephen have crossed all lines of decency,” wrote Boss Alexander via Instagram. “As his mother, I will not let these accusations go unanswered. We will not stand by while his name and legacy are tarnished. He doesn’t deserve this, and the children don’t deserve this.”

He added, “For the past two years, I have remained silent and away from the public eye to protect my family. My main focus has been on healing and trying to stay connected to my grandchildren. But when I read these terrible allegations about my baby, our dear Stephen, I realized that I could no longer remain silent. Our family will ensure that his name and memory are protected, and we are committed to protecting his honour.”

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If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).