Footage has emerged of a producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show telling the late Stephen 'tWitch' Boss and staff members not to 'keep in' pain before the dancer took his own life.
News of Boss' death emerged on 14 December, when his wife of nine years, Allison Holker, announced: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us."
Boss, 40, was known for his role on The Ellen Show and appeared at the show's wrap party in spring, when producer Andy Lassner decided to take to the mic to offer an encouraging speech to the cast and crew. Hear his speech below:
Footage of his speech was shared online following Boss' death, with the dancer visible in the back of the video.
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It was posted by Johanna Fuentes, a former senior communications executive at Warner Bros., who shared the clip in tribute to Boss.
Lassner discussed the ending of The Ellen Show and the emotional toll of the experience, telling the crowd: "This is a life change. And we're all going through it.
"It's okay to be sad and to reach out to each other because nobody knows this exact experience other than the people who worked here, the people who represent Ellen, and the people at Warner Bros. who take good care of her. We have all been through this - and we went through it. And we went through it together.
"You guys should be proud that you've stuck it out, you went through it. You got to see what we've done for 19 years. But keep each other close. Don't keep in the pain. Talk to someone."
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Alongside the video, Fuentes wrote that she had been 'rooting for Twitch through every chapter, from when I first saw him audition on SYTYCD and every moment in between, including our work at WB and Ellen'.
"An immense talent who brought joy to every room he walked into," she added. "Am devastated for Allison and their kids, for his friends and his family. He was such a bright light. As Andy said it best as the show wrapped – let’s keep each other close. Don’t keep in the pain, talk to someone. Anyone."
Boss' wife told People her husband 'lit up every room he stepped into', describing him as 'the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans'.
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She continued: "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 honour his memory."
Topics: UK News, Mental Health, Ellen DeGeneres
Emily Brown