The family of the late Stephen "tWitch" Boss is speaking out against his widow, Allison Holker, following the release of her memoir, This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light. During a recent interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings, Boss's mother, Connie Boss Alexander, and his brother, Dre Rose, shared their concerns about the claims made in Holker's book, particularly those alleging drug use and childhood abuse.
On February 11, 2023, Dre brought to the forefront the sentiment of being "silenced" within his brother's marriage to Holker, emphasizing how this dynamic affected Stephen's ability to communicate his struggles. "He felt silenced. He couldn’t get it out," Dre stated emphatically when asked about the nature of Stephen’s relationship with his wife. This admission has sparked additional scrutiny and turmoil within the family, especially considering the sensitive topics Holker chose to explore in her memoir.
One of the more shocking revelations Holker made was about her discovery of what she described as a "cornucopia" of drugs, which included various substances found hidden after Stephen's death on December 13, 2022. According to her, this discovery provided alarming insight, leading to the realization of how much he was concealing from both her and their family. "It was very alarming to learn there was so much happening," she reflected, insisting these realizations were both painful and transformative.
Speaking about the memoir, Dre explained how the claims presented have blindsided the family. "That was new. It was a shock to me, it was a shock to our father," Dre noted, pointing to the family's confusion upon learning about the allegations of abuse with which they were previously unaware. The family sat down to discuss the memoir and the details posed therein were concerning; Dre admitted, "There’s many conversations where there’s no resolve. He would always say to me, ‘This is life. The lights are on.’" This suggests there was deep-seated discomfort and complexity within Stephen's life, layers of which remained hidden until Holker's disclosures.
Further complicATING the situation is the family's discomfort with the manner of Holker's revelations, particularly those relating to sexual abuse. Dre insisted this was not just another narrative but was fundamentally personal, stating, "That was his story to tell," affirming the family's feeling of betrayal over such intimate details being published without prior family discussions.
Holker’s memoir is not merely about her and her late husband's struggles; it also appears to be seen as a form of self-expression and guidance for others. She stated, "I want to be clear... my only intention... is to share my own story." This emotional plea highlights her desire to not only recount her experience but also to potentially assist others grappling with similar feelings.
Following the release of the memoir, backlash against Holker has been palpable, with some fans and family members questioning her motives. Dre articulated his frustrations clearly, saying, "I see no accountability... for the way the family had to learn these things from the media," indicating a strong criticism of how the memoir has been positioned publicly. The family feels as though their tragedy has been exploited for publication sales rather than approached with the respect it deserved.
The emotional fallout of Stephen's death has reverberated through the family. Connie expressed her wish to mend relationships, especially with Holker, stating, "The intent was to grieve together... because we are family". Their commitment to preserving Stephen's heritage is palpable, and they hope for open dialogue to find healing beyond this public discourse.
Holker’s revelations have, by many accounts, altered the narrative of how Stephen is remembered. The affiliation his family had with Holker has soured significantly, underlining the complexity of grief and the varying perspectives surrounding the late dancer's legacy. The Boss family stressed the need for respect and dignity concerning their loss, wary of how public perceptions will continue to shape the posthumous narrative of their beloved family member.
Connie, capturing the essence of her sentiments, acknowledged the potential ramifications on Stephen's memory due to Holker's disclosures, affirming with conviction, "I do believe he had experiences where he tried this, but I don’t believe there was... this type of problem." It reinforces this idea of loving remembrance alongside their current struggle to reconcile differing narratives about Stephen's life.
With respect to mental health awareness, this situation has raised significant inquiries about how such issues are tackled within families. Holker has stated her plan to donate proceeds from her memoir to fund mental health initiatives, framing this as her way of honoring Stephen and his legacy. Whether this will facilitate healing among all involved remains to be seen. While the family and Holker navigate this emotional terrain, fans continue to rally around the memory of Stephen, hoping his story encourages dialogue around mental health, support, and compassion.
Nevertheless, the discord highlights the need for families dealing with tragedy to communicate openly and with sincerity, fostering environments where members feel safe to share, heal, and grow together amid adversity. The lasting effects of these conversations may prove to be more significant than any memoir could articulate.