On Wednesday, it was announced that the 40-year-old So You Think You Can Dance alum died by suicide in a Los Angeles hotel room on Tuesday, Dec. 13. His wife, Allison Holker Boss, confirmed his passing the next day with a heart-wrenching statement, vowing that she and their three children will honor his legacy every day. Following the tragic news, dozens of celebrities spoke out to honor tWitch and express their condolences, but perhaps one of the most emotional messages came from tWitch’s longtime companion, DeGeneres, after he served as a dancer, DJ, and eventual co-executive producer on her long-running talk show. After making her initial statement reacting to his untimely death, DeGeneres took to social media once more to share some of the joyful memories she shared with tWitch during their time together. “Right now what I want to do is remember all the love and laughter I had with tWitch,” she wrote via Instagram on Thursday, alongside a flashback video from her last week of the Ellen show, where she said a special goodbye to her longtime sidekick. In the clip, DeGeneres presents a video montage of some of her best moments with tWitch, including when they first met in 2011. He would go on to appear on her show as a dancer, before becoming the official DJ in 2014. “Over a decade ago, I met someone who changed my life, and our show,” the talk show host said of tWitch in the heartwarming clip. The video then took viewers through a journey of tWitch’s time on the show, including the hilarious memory of him getting waxed in the middle of her show and more joyful memories. “I love you tWitch and you know how much,” she also said in the clip, adding that the pair used to tell each other they love each other at the end of every show. At the time, DeGeneres also gifted him a framed photo of the two of them walking off stage together, which made tWitch break down into tears. “I love the family that I’ve gained here,” tWitch is heard saying. “And something I’ll always remember is that you gave me a place where I can be myself.” “He brought so much joy to my life,” DeGeneres wrote in the caption of her post on Thursday. “I know he brought joy to yours too.” “I’m going to be sharing some of my favorite moments with him. If you want to you can also share yours. #ILovetWitch.” In addition to DeGeneres’ sweet tribute, Parade has also rounded up more celebrity messages to tWitch in light of his death, which you can read here.
