Allison Holker has taken a firm stance in defending herself against the numerous critics who have condemned her for both discussing her late husband Stephen “tWitch” Boss’ alleged drug use and including it in her upcoming memoir.
On Wednesday, through her Instagram Story, the dancer penned a heartfelt message. “To the fans of Stephen and our family and friends, I want to make it unmistakably clear that my sole purpose in writing this book is to share my own journey and a part of my life with Stephen, with the aim of helping others,” she wrote.
She further elaborated, “Just like all of you, I was truly in the dark about what had transpired. And even as I attempt to piece everything together, I will never fully understand. I am 36 years old, and I hope that my book, ‘This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light,’ set to be released on February 5, will also illuminate the life we had together with Boss and our children: Wesley, who is 16, Maddox, 8, and Zaia, 5.”
Holker added, “I am hopeful that by sharing our complete story, I might be able to assist someone who can identify with Stephen or a loved one in a similar situation. I hope they can notice some of the warning signs that I overlooked before it’s too late.” She also disclosed that over the past few years, she has engaged with several mental health professionals and agencies to better educate herself and her readers about these “warning signs.”
The “High School Musical” dancer mentioned that all the proceeds from the book will be directed towards the mental health foundation, Move with Kindness, which she established after Boss’ passing in December 2022. “My aspiration is that we won’t have to endure the loss of another husband, brother, father, or friend to suicide,” she continued. “I believe that if Stephen had a choice, he would opt to have his story told if it could save even one life. Sending much love to all those who have supported our family throughout the years.”
Boss took his own life on December 13, 2022, at the age of 40. His body was found in a motel room near where he resided with Holker and their children in Encino, California.
Shortly after his death, as Holker told People in an interview published on January 7, she allegedly came across a shoe box filled with “various” substances, including mushrooms. “I was with one of my very dear friends, and we were cleaning out the closet and selecting an outfit for him for the funeral. It was an extremely triggering moment for me because I discovered many things in our closet that I was unaware of. It was deeply alarming to learn that so much had been happening without my knowledge,” she said.
Holker also found several of Boss’ journal entries, which will be featured in her memoir. However, after her interview was made public, the family of the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” alum lashed out at her. They criticized her for discussing his alleged drug problem and for making them sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) as a condition to attend his funeral. Some of Boss’ family members asserted that “he wasn’t an addict” and alleged that Holker had prevented them from seeing their grandchildren. One family member wrote on X, “She’s been striving to besmirch his reputation and refuses to let the Boss family see the children. She’s only out to exploit and lie about my cousin. Absolutely not.”