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Allison Holker has spoken out amid backlash surrounding her decision to share deeply personal details about her late husband, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, in her forthcoming memoir and recent cover interview with People.
Taking to Instagram, Holker addressed her fans, family, and friends, clarifying her intentions in writing the book. "My only intention in writing the book is to share my own story as well as part of my life with Stephen to help other people," she wrote in her Instagram story. "Just like you, I never really knew what happened, and even as I am trying to put the pieces together, I will never really know."
Boss, beloved as the DJ on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and a fan-favorite contestant on "So You Think You Can Dance," tragically passed away in December 2022 at the age of 40.
During her interview with the magazine, Holker revealed a painful discovery while preparing for her husband's funeral, which included a stash of drugs, including mushrooms, pills, and other substances, hidden among his personal belongings in a shoe box.
"I was with one of my really dear friends, and we were cleaning out the closet and picking out an outfit for him for the funeral," Holker recounted. "It was a really triggering moment for me because there were a lot of things I discovered in our closet that I did not know existed. It was very alarming to me to learn that there was so much happening that I had no clue [about]."
Reflecting on the discovery, Holker acknowledged its emotional toll on her. "It was a really scary moment in my life to figure that out, but it also helped me process that he was going through so much and he was hiding so much. There must have been a lot of shame in that," she said.
Holker expressed her hope in her Instagram story that the book would resonate with others who may be struggling. "If you decide to read the book, hopefully you'll see 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 wrote.
"I hope that by sharing our full story, maybe I can help someone else who might see themselves or a loved one in Stephen," Holker continued. "In sharing, I hope that maybe they can catch some of the red flags that I missed before it's too late."
Holker emphasized that all proceeds from the memoir will go toward her foundation, Move with Kindness, which focuses on mental health initiatives in Boss's honor. "My hope is that we don't need to lose another husband, brother, father, or friend to suicide," Holker concluded.
f you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or considering suicide, support is available. Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or texting "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. You are not alone!