- Ellen DeGeneres is paying tribute to her friend Stephen 'tWitch' Boss during the holiday season.
- 'tWitch' died December 13. His death was ruled a suicide by the LA Medical Examiner-Coroner.
Ellen DeGeneres says the best way anyone can honor the legacy of Stephen "tWitch" Boss is by hugging, dancing, and laughing with loved ones over the holidays.
The comedian, 64, shared the touching message in a TikTok uploaded on Friday. In the clip, which has had almost 12 million views as of Saturday, DeGeneres spoke about how difficult the holidays can be after experiencing loss.
It comes nearly two weeks after tWitch's death, which was ruled a suicide by the LA Medical Examiner-Coroner, Insider previously reported. He was 40.
tWitch began working on "Ellen" as the show's guest DJ and became a hit. He continued in that role and as a cohost until the show ended in May. He was also an executive producer since 2020.
"The past 11 days have been really tough," DeGeneres said in her TikTok. "Everyone is in pain and trying to make sense of it, and we never make sense of it."
"And the holidays are hard," she added. "But to honor tWitch I think the best thing that we can do is to laugh and hug each other, and play games, and dance, and sing. That's the way we honor him."
@ellendegeneres ❤️
♬ original sound - Ellen
"He loved music, he loved games, so we do that. And I know it seems hard, it seems impossible. But that's how we honor him," she said. "So happy holidays everybody. I know it's not a happy holiday but he was pure light."
After the news of tWitch's death emerged, DeGeneres said she was "heartbroken" on Twitter. "tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children - Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia."
Allison Holker Boss, who married tWitch in 2013, confirmed his death in a statement to People on December 14.
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us," she wrote. "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."
"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. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children," Holker Boss wrote.