Boy Interrupted: Dancer, Choreographer, and Television Personality Stephen “tWitch” Boss Commits Suicide
Dancer, choreographer, and television personality Stephen “tWitch” Boss committed suicide on December 13th, 2022. News of his death left an indelible impact on the entertainment industry. He was just 40 years old. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Boss rose to prominence as the runner-up of the then popular dance reality show So You Think You Can Dance in 2008 and became widely known as the co-host, producer, and DJ of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
The untimely death of the long-time dancer and television producer, known for his work on the popular talk-show The Ellen DeGeneres Show, has once again sparked a discussion on the state of male mental health. According to a 2020 CDC report, the suicide rate among males was 4 times higher that year, specifically it was significantly higher in the 25-44 age range. It is also hypothesized that men are less likely to seek professional help regarding mental illness.
When looking at images and video clips of “tWitch”, his gregarious smile, his outgoing personality, he looks like any other public figure living the Hollywood dream but as reports have revealed, the 40 year old television personality was harboring far more than meets the eye.
Writer Nardine Saad, in their 2022 article for the Los Angeles Times, writes, “dancer and beloved ‘Ellen DeGeneres Show’ sidekick Stephen ‘Twitch’ Boss left a note before he died of a gunshot wound to the head… contents of the note were not revealed but led investigators to conclude that Boss’ death was a suicide, according to people familiar with the investigation but who were not authorized to speak about it publicly.” Those close to him echoed the sentiments made by his celebrity peers that he showed no evidence of unhappiness.
Boss is not the first or only celebrity to commit suicide. Just this year alone, many have been lost to suicide: model, television personality, and former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst made headlines by committing suicide at the age of 30. Kryst also left behind a suicide note. Grammy Award winning artist Naomi Judd of the country music duo The Judds committed suicide earlier this year. Not to mention, the son of actress and director Regina King- Ian Alexander Jr.
Though awareness for mental health has steadily risen since before the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic, the stigma is still very much prevalent. It takes much more than a simple advertisement or speech regarding mental health for those who suffer from a mental health illness to actually feel safe and feel heard. Hopefully, what Boss’s death can further demonstrate is the ongoing rise of suicide rates and mental health issues today.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide or is in emotional distress, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
