Channing Tatum paid an emotional tribute to his late co-star Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss at the Dance Hall of Fame Ceremony in Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 3, remembering his impact three years after Boss’s tragic passing. The Channing Tatum tribute Magic Mike moment brought Tatum and others together to reflect on Boss’s enduring influence, particularly within the dance and entertainment communities.
Channing Tatum Honors tWitch with Moving Words
Tatum opened his speech with visible emotion, sharing the depth of his feelings as he looked back on his experiences working alongside Boss in Magic Mike XXL. Tatum began his speech with a candid admission, saying,
“I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry,”
— Channing Tatum, Actor.
He went on to express how Boss brought joy to those around him:
“I do this because tWitch made me laugh all the time. But to say that it is an honor to sit up here and talk about that man is an understatement to say the least. I sat for a while, and I was like, ‘What am I going to tell them?’ Because lots of people here might’ve known tWitch much longer or more intimate than I did. I got to work with him, and I got to work with him for a good amount of time.”
— Channing Tatum, Actor.
Reflecting on a video tribute during the event, Tatum commented,
“As I was just sitting here watching that video and you just see his face and it all, you really need to see,”
— Channing Tatum, Actor.
Tatum described Boss as a remarkable figure, stating,
“He just was one of the most brilliant, bright [people]. He just loved so big. He just loves so big and that’s why he just shines so much.”
— Channing Tatum, Actor.
Recalling their first meeting on television, Tatum said,
“My brain just couldn’t wrap itself around how this giant, big, beautiful man was moving the way he was,”
— Channing Tatum, Actor. He reflected on his own perspective as a fellow dancer, comparing their strengths and abilities.
Tatum continued with humor and admiration,
“I was a bigger guy, and I couldn’t fathom moving like that, and then he had to go and open his stupid mouth and be funny as well. That pissed me off. I was like, ‘Hold on a second.’ And then he smiles at you and then you fall in love with him, and then that’s just tWitch.”
— Channing Tatum, Actor.
He further praised Boss’s ability to uplift everyone he met:
“He made all of us fall in love with him and he rose everyone in the room. He came in the room just, I don’t know, he just filled it up. He filled it up. He made you want to be better at anything that you wanted to be. He accepted you for who you were, who you wanted to be or wherever you were going. He wanted to help and he wanted to be there.”
— Channing Tatum, Actor.
Sharing a personal joke about their shared roots, Tatum added,
“Maybe it was because we’re both from Alabama and I just felt some sort of kinship to him. Roll Tide, by the way. I’m sure he yelled it back and is laughing at me right now. It was an honor to know him. It was an honor to call him a friend, and I will see him again.”
— Channing Tatum, Actor.
Remembering Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’s Journey and Legacy
Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss built an impressive career in dance and television, which began when he first caught the public’s eye as a contestant on MTV’s The Wade Robson Project in the early 2000s. He furthered his reputation as a runner-up on Star Search and stood out in 2008 as a runner-up during season four of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD).
Boss later returned to SYTYCD as an all-star dancer, gaining further prominence. In 2022, he became a recurring judge on the show. During his time on the series, he met Allison Holker Boss, to whom he was married, and together they shared three children: Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.
After his turn in Magic Mike XXL — the film where he worked closely with Channing Tatum — Boss continued his television career, joining The Ellen DeGeneres Show first as a guest DJ and later as a co-executive producer. His energy and charisma made him a favorite both with audiences and within the industry.
Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’s life came to a tragic end when he died by suicide in December 2022 at the age of 40. His passing left a profound mark on the many people he inspired as a dancer, entertainer, friend, and family member. The ceremony in Los Angeles served as a powerful reminder of his legacy and the deep affection felt by those who knew him.
The Lasting Impact and Ongoing Influence of Boss
Channing Tatum’s moving tribute at the Los Angeles Dance Hall of Fame Ceremony highlighted the deep bonds formed between performers and the ways a person’s influence can uplift an entire community long after they are gone. For figures like Boss, whose passion and love touched fellow artists, friends, and family, that influence continues to inspire others to pursue kindness and excellence both professionally and personally. As Tatum and many others demonstrated, Boss’s memory will remain a guiding light for those who seek to make a positive difference in the world of dance and beyond.
