Allison Holker Defends Memoir Detailing Late Husband tWitch’s Struggles, Amidst Family Criticism
Dancer and television personality Allison Holker is facing a complex mix of support and backlash following the announcement of her upcoming memoir, “This Far,” which delves into her life with her late husband, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, CNN reports.
The book, set to be released on February 4th, includes personal revelations about Boss, who died by suicide in December 2022 at the age of 40.
Holker, in an Instagram story posted Wednesday, responded to critics.
“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 acknowledged the ongoing struggle to understand her husband’s death.
“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.”
Her remarks come after an exclusive interview with People magazine where Holker shared a disturbing discovery she made while preparing for Boss’s funeral. She revealed that she found a hidden stash of drugs, including mushrooms, pills, and other substances she was unfamiliar with, inside their closet.
She added that the discovery helped her understand the depth of her husband’s struggles and that he was likely feeling a lot of shame.
The revelation has sparked a strong reaction from Boss’s mother, Connie Boss Alexander, who publicly criticized Holker’s claims in a statement posted on Instagram on Thursday. Alexander wrote that the family is “absolutely appalled by the misleading and hurtful claims made about my son, Stephen Boss.”
In her Instagram statement, Holker reiterated her intentions.
“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,” she added, “In sharing I hope that maybe they can catch some of the red flags that I missed before it’s too late.”
Holker also emphasized that all proceeds from her book will benefit her mental health foundation, Move with Kindness, started in Stephen’s honor, stating “My hope is that we don’t need to lose another husband, brother, father or friend to suicide.”
Boss and Holker’s relationship blossomed after they met on season 7 of “So You Think You Can Dance” in 2010, where both were all-star dancers. They shared a dance at the wrap party that season and have been together ever since.
