’s This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light memoir has sparked varying reactions from the dance community and late husband ’ family.
Ahead of the book’s publication, Holker, 36, spoke to People in an interview published on Tuesday, January 7, claiming that she learned Boss had struggled with addiction, childhood sexual abuse and more in journal entries she read after his death. (Boss died by suicide in December 2022 at the age of 40.)
After the interview, several of Boss’ friends and relatives were frustrated that Holker chose to detail his apparent struggles in her memoir and a magazine interview. Holker, for her part, has said that her intention is to shine a light on addiction and mental health battles to help others.
“Just trying to help people feel safe to ask for help and support,” she wrote via Instagram comment on Tuesday, responding to one critical online comment.
Holker also reposted several positive fan comments on her Instagram Story. One read, “@allisonholker is such a brave woman. These last couple of years have been painful for anyone who was a fan of Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss. I was heartbroken when I heard what happened. She is an example of how perseverance can pay off.”
Another fan praised Holker for “opening up the way [she did,]” adding, “You always take everything with so much grace, power and positivity. Nobody does it like you.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Holker’s team for comment.
Keep scrolling to see how Boss’ friends and family — as well as the dance community as a whole — reacted to the memoir revelations:
Courtney Platt
Platt appeared on season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance alongside Boss and returned as an All-Star for season 7 alongside Boss and Holker. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Platt said that she had been there for all of Holker and Boss’ biggest relationship milestones.
“This is by far the most tacky, classless, opportunistic act I have ever seen in my entire life,” Platt alleged. “We all had to sign some weird NDA to attend his funeral (even his own mother who you’ve treated like garbage this entire time and let’s just remember you wouldn’t have even had a husband if it wasn’t for her) not to share anything or ruin his name as if that was on anyone’s mind in the first place and here you go and write a book with all the dirty laundry smearing his name and attempting to dim the bright loyal, loving, light that was your husband, my friend.”
She added, “Whether any of it is true or not is actually beside the point. This is how you protect the ‘Boss name’ you so quickly dropped on your social media platforms 48 hours after he passed? His legacy? This is how you protect his children from any further humiliation, hurt and despair? This is what you want them to remember about him? You have moved on, you’re living your life, you’re on every carpet you can get on, every celebrity row you can sit in, every magazine you can be in and you needed to do this? Get a journal, a therapist, a friend … but publishing a book shamelessly sharing the pages of your husband’s journal? People magazine? What a joke.”
Platt further implored: “Let my friend Rest in Peace not your PR.”
Comfort Fedoke
Fedoke, another SYTYCD alum who mostly recently served as a mentor on season 18 alongside Holker, reshared Platt’s message onto her Instagram Stories.
“Lies and Fairytales,” Fedoke wrote. “Stephen said this to me in my dreams when he passed: Nothing is what it seems. [Courtney,] I am right behind you. I’m done with this girl. You are an evil woman and completely disgusting. How dare you try to destroy my brother’s name.”
Chelsie Hightower
Hightower — a SYTYCD and Dancing With the Stars alum — noted in a Tuesday Instagram Story post that she’d known Holker “since I was an early teen” and was disappointed by the memoir claims.
“Seeing her choose to share such deeply personal details about tWitch’s struggles feels so disappointing and inappropriate,” she wrote. “Twitch was an incredibly kind and loving man, who always looked out for others, making everyone feel included and valued, myself included. He deserves to be remembered for the light he brought into this world, not reduced to his struggles.”
Hightower further noted that Platt’s comments “speak to the heart of this situation.”
Dré Rose
Boss’ brother has reposted several critical comments on his Instagram Story.
“No lies told,” he wrote, linking to Platt’s post.
Elle Noir
“She won’t let our family see the kids,” Boss’ cousin claimed via X. “He wasn’t an addict. He smoked weed and was actively trying to quit. He wasn’t some junkie. … All she claims is ‘Weed and mushrooms and some pills’ but doesn’t specify the pills. And weed and shrooms. I get we may have different opinions on it but she’s framing it like he did METH or something like bffr.”
Jenna Dewan
Dewan, a friend of Holker, praised Holker’s authenticity in an Instagram Story post, which Holker uploaded on her page.
“Love u @allisonholker,” Dewan wrote. “Sharing this will help others know to reach out for help.”
Danielle Polanco
Pro dancer Polanco, who appeared in the Step Up franchise with Boss, is trying to hold onto the positive memories of Boss.
“We miss our boy,” she wrote via Instagram comment. “Everyone who knew him, let’s keep his amazing memory alive by talking about how amazing he actually was. I just remember every time he was in NYC he would want to know where to go for the underground house and hip-hop parties. He was a real one.”
She added, “Always willing to learn more. I wasn’t super close to him but jam I miss his smile, his talent and his overall presence in general. What a beautiful guy ❤️.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
