It’s been virtually three years because the dying of American dancer and choreographer Stephen “tWitch” Boss, however the surrounding drama sadly stays alive and properly.
Boss, who died by suicide in December 2022, was a co-executive producer and longtime DJ on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show.” He was married to dancer Allison Holker for 9 years.
In an unique interview with “People” on Tuesday to advertise her new memoir, Holker mentioned that earlier than her husband’s funeral, she found a “cornucopia” of medicine he had hidden in shoeboxes, together with drugs, mushrooms and “other substances” she needed to analysis.
“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 recalled.
“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,” Holker mentioned. “It was very alarming to me to learn that there was so much happening that I had no clue about.”
The dancer acknowledged that it was additionally a “really scary moment” in her life that she needed to “figure out.” She additionally confessed that the invention helped her grieve her companion.
After Holker’s interview hit social media, “Real Housewives of Potomac” alum Candiace Dillard Bassett had her personal ideas.
“I’m not even gonna say it,” wrote the singer on X (previously Twitter). “But this white woman is doing everything BUT protecting her Black children and her Black husband‘s legacy. She could’ve kept this in her therapist’s office. SMH.”
This prompted Boss’ cousin, Elle, to reply on the platform.
“She won’t let our family see the kids,” Elle wrote. “He wasn’t an addict. He smoked weed and was actively trying to quit. He wasn’t some junkie.”
In a separate tweet, Elle wrote that Holker made the household signal an NDA to attend Boss’ funeral. Elle additional accused Holker of making an attempt to “tarnish” the dancer’s legacy and exploiting their members of the family.
Courtney Ann Platt, a detailed pal of Boss, echoed Elle’s statements in an Instagram submit, noting that “even [Boss] own mother” needed to signal “some weird NDA” to attend his funeral.
Referring to Holker’s interview, Platt wrote, “This is by far the most tacky, classless, opportunistic act I have ever seen in my entire life.”
Platt accused Holker of hypocrisy, provided that regardless of making his household signal NDAs, the widow went on to “write a book with all the dirty laundry smearing his name.”
She concluded, “This smear campaign for a buck is absolutely not what he would have ever wanted. No matter how bad he was hurting. Not for second. You’re a living, breathing bulldozer. Stick to your own demons. Shame on you Allison, shame on your money hungry team. Let my friend Rest in Peace not your PR.”
Kelly Gibson, one other dancer near Boss, who additionally appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” additionally chimed in on the discourse in a current touch upon an Instagram submit from “People.”
“This whole thing made me sad. He’s gone. Why tear apart this name?” Gibson wrote. “I was fully supportive about you moving (on) and being happy but this paycheck was not worth disgracing his name.”
Holker responded to Gibson’s remark, stating, “I’ll always love you. Just trying to help people feel safe to ask for help and support.”
This prompted Gibson to alter her tone, turning into extra apologetic. She acknowledged that she additionally had love for Holker.
“It’s so hard to hear and I imagine it can’t be easy going through what you’ve been through,” she responded. “There will be a lot of hate thrown your way but it’s not for me to judge a difficult situation. It’s just so hard to digest. I can’t imagine how you feel so I apologize for jumping to conclusions.”
HuffPost didn’t instantly hear again from representatives of Holker.
When you or somebody you understand wants assist, name or textual content 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for psychological well being help. Moreover, you could find native psychological well being and disaster sources at dontcallthepolice.com. Outdoors of the U.S., please go to the Worldwide Affiliation for Suicide Prevention.