Cat Deeley praised So You Think You Can Dance judge Allison Holker for her positive outlook after her husband, tWitch, passed away.
Deeley commended Holker for openly discussing her feelings about tWitch's death, stating that it is a healthy approach to dealing with such a devastating loss. She emphasized the importance of turning a negative situation into something positive in order to process the emotions as a human being.
Deeley highlighted Holker's decision to talk about her husband's passing as a way to keep the lines of communication open for everyone. She believes that by being open and not hiding away from difficult topics, it benefits everyone's mental health - including viewers at home and those involved in the show.
Deeley, who started hosting SYTYCD in 2006 during season 2, mentioned how beautifully Holker, 36, has been handling the tough situation.
Deeley shared, "We were discussing it recently and I told her, 'I must say, you have been handling yourself with such grace.'"
Deeley has been friends with Holker and Boss since they appeared on SYTYCD in 2006 and 2008. The couple got married in 2013 after meeting on season 7 when they were mentors for the first time.
Tragically, Boss passed away by suicide at the age of 40 in December 2022. He is survived by Holker and their three children: Weslie, who is 15, Maddox, who is 7, and Zaia, who is 3. (Weslie is Holker’s daughter from a previous relationship, and Boss had adopted her.)
Following Boss’ passing, the SYTYCD and dance communities rallied around Holker and her kids to help keep his memory alive.
Cat Deeley Says Allison Holker Talks Very Openly About tWitch
Deeley fondly remembered Boss as a charming, intelligent, and loving man. She shared that she has countless memories with him. Deeley recalled Boss as a big sweater, always coming off stage soaked in sweat. Despite his reluctance to hug due to being sweaty, she would always insist on hugging him.
After watching Deeley's competitive solo routine to Midnight Touch's "Midas Touch," another memorable encounter took place.
Once, he was on stage performing his routine and had a grill in his mouth. In a playful manner, I jokingly said, "Come on, hand it over. I can be street in my British accent." So, I put on his glasses and his grill, causing everyone to react with surprise. I simply shrugged it off, saying, "Don't care."
Holker became a judge on season 18 of So You Think You Can Dance, starting on March 4. She sat alongside Maksim Chmerkovskiy and JoJo Siwa on the judging panel.
Deeley mentioned that Allison Holker brings both experience and heart to the show, adding a special dimension to the judging panel.
As Holker, Chmerkovskiy, 44, and Siwa, 20, are on the lookout for America's Top Dancer, the contestants will face a variety of new challenges.
Deeley hinted at two major changes to the show. Firstly, all the dancers will be living together in a house, giving everyone a chance to get to know each other. Secondly, the dancers will be faced with real-world challenges. These challenges will test their ability to be professional dancers, preparing them for a successful career. Challenges may include a tour challenge, a Broadway challenge, an ad campaign challenge, and more.
So You Think You Can Dance airs Mondays on Fox at 7 p.m. ET.
With reporting by Christina Garibaldi
Editor's P/S:
Cat Deeley's praise for Allison Holker's openness and resilience after the tragic loss of her husband, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, is both poignant and inspiring. Deeley's emphasis on the importance of talking about difficult emotions, and not hiding away from them, highlights the crucial role that open communication plays in the healing process. Holker's decision to share her feelings and keep the lines of communication open not only benefits her own mental health but also creates a supportive and understanding environment for others who are grieving.
Furthermore, the article provides a glimpse into the close friendship between Deeley, Holker, and Boss, who met on "So You Think You Can Dance" in 2006 and 2008, respectively. Deeley's fond memories of Boss as a charming and loving man underscore the devastating impact of his loss. The article also highlights the unwavering support that the SYTYCD community has provided to Holker and her children, showcasing the power of human connection in times of adversity.