Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’s Friends from DWTS and SYTYCD Honor Him: ‘Forever the World’s Dance Dad’

The Hollywood dance community is coming together to remember Stephen “tWitch” Boss following news of his sudden death.

The former Ellen DeGeneres Show DJ, who died by suicide at age 40, was remembered by his fellow professional dancers from So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars in statements to PEOPLE — and across social media — on Wednesday.

In a statement to PEOPLE, SYTYCD judge Mary Murphy remembered the first time she met Boss — and the way he went on to become “an inspiration to millions.”

“I am so deeply saddened of the news of Twitch passing. My soul is crying and aches on a cellular level. I was a proud mama bear over Twitch. He was hungry, eager, and willing to do the work that would lift him in spirit and means,” she said. “The first time I met Twitch there was something about him. I call it twinkle eye because his eyes shined so much. His smile lit up the stage every time he stepped foot on it! We were not easy on him the first time he auditioned, and told him to work hard and come back again.”

“The same thing happened the next year he auditioned — work hard and come back. That would have been the end for most people but he persevered and came back again,” she continued. “He still had to fight for his life that third year with his solo. What I saw next was unlike any solo I had seen before. His music was a symphony that was playing and Twitch started to dance and show us all the instruments being used, but through his body. The musicality of it was mesmerizing and a defining moment in Twitch’s dance career.”

Stephen tWitch Boss

Getty Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss

RELATED: Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, Former Ellen DeGeneres Show DJ and SYTYCD All-Star, Dead at 40

“Those are the moments that I cherish the most, when a dancer seems to be one with the universe, music, and choreography. Needless to say, I was crazy over it and from that moment on Twitch  started to soar,” she added. “I was so proud of him because I had a very small part in his big career. Twitch was an inspiration to millions with his work ethic and determination and showed many young children that no matter what your circumstances are you can make it if you work hard! Twitch I love you to the moon and back! I wrap his family  Allison, Maddox, Zaria and Weslie with love and prayers. Dear Twitch RIP, the world will miss your shining light!”

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SYTYCD creator and judge Nigel Lythgoe told PEOPLE in a statement: “I am heartbroken and devastated at the moment. I’m at a loss to understand how someone as loved and as inspirational to so many people as Stephen was can feel they are in such a dark place that they have no other choice but to end their life.”

Producer Nigel Lythgoe and Stephen ÒtWitchÓ Boss attend the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, SAG-AFTRA and Career Transitions for Dancers presents “Dancers Forum” with Nigel Lythgoe, Cat Deeley, Adam Shankman, Kym Johnson, tWitch and more at SAG Foundation Actors Center on July 25, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.

Angela Weiss/Getty Nigel Lythgoe and Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss

“With Twitch, that is unimaginable to me. What were the demons that he kept to himself?” Lythgoe continued. “He always had that broad smile and a joy of life. Everyone who met him loved him. Did he really have no one to talk with that could help him to unload some of his issues? How sad, how very sad.”

“Mental health is a real issue that is often hidden from us,” Lythgoe added. “The dance community will be reeling today but my deepest sympathy goes out to his wife, Allison and their children. It’s important to recognize that mental health is a real problem and sometimes goes unnoticed in our loved ones. As we go into this happy time of the year for so many of us we must recognize that stress and dark emotions appear to be heightened in others.”

RELATED: Nigel Lythgoe Mourns the Death of Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss: ‘The Dance Community Will Be Reeling Today’

JoJo Siwa, who served as a judge on SYTYCD beside Boss, expressed her sadness in a post on Instagram.

“My heart is beyond broken.💔😭 twitch was a best friend and a mentor not just to me but to SO many. I’ll never forget our time getting to work together on SYTYCD, he became such a light in my life. Someone I’ve looked up to since I was born turned one of my best friends. Twitch always had the best advice. We had SO many laughs, smiles, and even cries together. I know you’re in a better place now but man we are all gonna miss the hell outta you. Sending my most love and prayers to His beautiful wife and 3 perfect kids. ❤️ thank you for sharing your gift with the world. I’m ‘so esssicted’ to see you again one day (A inside joke between us that I will never let go of). Forever the worlds dance dad. Love you brother.🙏🏼 RIP the legendary Stephen Twitch Boss❤️”

JoJo Siwa, Stephen tWitch Boss

FOX via Getty JoJo Siwa and Stephen “tWitch” Boss

Dancing with the Stars pro Cheryl Burke also reacted on Instagram, sharing two photos with Boss. In her post, she remembered him “for being so joyful, inspirational, and for always putting a smile on my face.”

“My heart breaks for @sir_twitch_alot, @allisonholker and their beautiful family. Twitch, thank you for representing the dance world with such positivity and grace but more importantly, as a human being,” she wrote. “thank you for being so joyful, inspirational, and for always putting a smile on my face. May your soul rest in peace my friend. 💔”

RELATED: Katie Couric, Viola Davis and More Pay Tribute to Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss: ‘The World Lost a Bright Light’

Cheryl Burke and Stephen “tWitch” Boss

Cheryl Burke/instagram Cheryl Burke and Stephen “tWitch” Boss

SYTYCD alum and DWTS pro Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy shared a video of Boss dancing on Instagram and wrote beside it, “may you forever be dancing in heaven and wearing that smile that lit up the world💔”

Jenna’s husband and DWTS pro, Val Chmerkovskiy penned a touching tribute on Instagram beside a video of Boss smiling.

“To a man that had touched so many with his beautiful spirit and infectious smile. Rest in peace my friend, I hope you finally found it,” he wrote. “You were an example for me and so many of us trying to make our little fifteen minutes into a two hour special in this strange and at times brutal world of entertainment. You were the example not solely because of the success you had but the grace with which you carried it. You did it without stepping over anyone without switching up or selling out. You were kind, always thoughtful, and always kept it one hundred thousand. That’s why as a community we loved you!”

“You were exactly the representation we wanted and we’re proud to have. Always checking in when you saw I, or my family, was going through stuff always offered help, and sometimes gave it without even asking,” he continued. “You will be dearly missed, you will be ferociously celebrated for years to come, and I just hope you knew how much you were loved before you went. The ones that smile the brightest may be the ones that hurt the most. I can’t believe I’m writing this. #RIPStephenBoss #RIPtWitch”

Jenna Johnson Stephen “Twitch” Boss

Jenna Johnson/Instagram Jenna Johnson’s Instagram Story

Val’s brother and DWTS alum Maksim Chmerkovskiy also shared a tribute on Instagram. “I’m at a loss for words… I wrote few paragraphs and deleted everything because it’s all so irrelevant right now. I have so much to say, but I just want to hold on to the memories I have and not try to wrap my head around this.”

“Stephen ‘Twitch’ Boss was the only man I’ve met in the entire industry who was loved by absolutely everyone. This makes no sense at all…. Rest easy my friend.💔” he added.

Fellow DWTS pro Daniella Karagach shared the news on her Instagram Story, writing, “In complete disbelief. My heart breaks for his family and loved ones. RIP twitch.”

SYTYCD alum Tiffany Maher said her “heart was broken” over the news of Boss’ death in a statement to PEOPLE. “Stephen ‘Twitch’ was a bright light. He had such a kind and inspirational soul. I feel so fortunate to have known him. He will forever be remembered and deeply missed. Sending love and prayers to Allison and their children,” Maher said.

Chelsie Hightower also honored Boss, who she referred to as a “big brother to me” in a statement to PEOPLE: “I’m still processing all of this… but in a few words, It doesn’t take long being in his presence to understand what a great man he is and to feel the genuine love, care and warmth he shares with everyone around him. There will be many of us wishing we knew if there was anything we could’ve done. He will be so missed by so many. When we were on SYTYCD together he was like a big brother to me. Always looking out for and encouraging me. Even years later as our paths crossed, he continued still. I’m not an exception, that’s just the type of man he was.”

RELATED: Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’s Wife Allison Holker Speaks Out on His Legacy: He ‘Lit Up Every Room He Stepped Into’

Boss’ wife, Allison Holker Boss, confirmed the So You Think You Can Dance judge’s death on Wednesday in an emotional statement with PEOPLE.

Stephen “Twitch” Boss

Momodu Mansaray/Getty Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss and his wife Allison

“Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans,” Allison, 34, said. “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 honor his memory.”

Allison concluded her statement with a message for her husband: “Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”

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Boss was best known for being a DJ and co-executive producer on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. But he also made a name for himself on So You Think You Can Dance as a contestant and later a judge when the series returned in 2022.

He is survived by his wife Allison as well as children Zaia, 3, Maddox, 6, and Weslie, 14.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.