Those who loved Stephen ‘Twitch’ Boss and those who knew him well came together in Los Angeles on Saturday to honor the late entertainer.
“He was the light. He chose love, grace and kindness. And he deserves to be celebrated,” wife Alison Holker reportedly said at an event that attracted more than 500 people.
The famous DJ and dancer committed suicide in December.
He was 40 years old.
Among the speakers who shared their thoughts and love for Stephen were his aforementioned wife … his friend and mentor Ellen DeGeneres … and comedians Lonnie Love and Wayne Brady.
According to Entertainment Tonight, the family’s pastor, Joe Smith, hosted the celebration of life.
Guests included DeGeneres, Wayne Brady, Lonnie Love, Jeff Thacker, Derek Hough, AJ McLean, Robin Antine, and several members of both the cast and staff of So You Think You Can Dance and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Boss was best known for competing on So You Think You Can Dance and serving as the in-house DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
The event was also an opportunity for Holker to carry on her spouse’s legacy through the Move With Kindness Foundation, which was created on behalf of her and their children — Wesley, Maddox, 6, and Zaya, 3 — Stephen Honored for supporting mental health initiatives in the U.S.
Guests were given “Move with Kindness” wristbands and invited to donate to the organization.
In a statement confirming her husband’s demise, Holkar poured her heart out.
“Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else, and leading with love and light meant everything to him.
“He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father and an inspiration to his fans,” she said at the time.
“To say that he has left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact continues to be felt.
“I’m sure there won’t be a day that goes by when we don’t honor his memory. We ask for privacy for ourselves and especially for our three children during this difficult time.
Closing out her statement, Allison shared a message directly to her husband:
“Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”
A few weeks later on January 6, Allison posted a tribute video in honor of Boss.
“My husband, best friend, babe, chi-chaker, superman and father of my children, I love you forever and ever,” she captioned the footage.
“We will always remember you as the true beacon of light that you were and we will continue to spread your light and love all over the world.”