Jenna Dewan paid tribute to her late boyfriend Stephen “tWitch” Boss months after his death and reflected on the legacy he left behind.
“This is incredible, to have the moment to share in his love, light and legacy,” the actress said People magazine on Friday at the National Alliance of Mental Illness Westside Los Angeles annual gala. “And that I’m here to support Allison and their family, I’ve known that for so many years. They really are the absolute best, greatest (people). They take care of everyone.”
Dewan attended the event to present the Heart of a Champion award alongside Derek Hough, in honor of Boss to his wife Allison Holker Boss and their daughter Weslie Boss.
“I just think I’m here to help support her and her family and move forward from the tragedy and also support his legacy and his love and light and what he did for the world,” said the Get up star told the outlet on the gala’s red carpet. “You saw how everyone really felt this and felt him and he touched so many people. So to be able to be here and honor that is very important to me.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show DJ turned executive producer died by suicide last December, a rep confirmed The Hollywood Reporter at the time.
“I think there was an uplifting energy he gave to other people, and I think if there’s a lesson or anything we can learn from this, it’s what you’re presenting isn’t always the full picture,” Dewan added . “I hope people can see that you can struggle and be strong, and being strong doesn’t mean you don’t struggle. I think it’s important to bring that to the attention tonight.”
The dancer also talked about her own personal experiences with mental health issues in her family and the change she hopes to see on the subject.
“I’ve seen relatives of mine struggle,” she continued. “I have seen a lot of shame around it. I have seen many people who are unwilling to cooperate or accept the help that is needed. That has to change. We need to talk about it more. It has to be something openly okay to discuss, to get help for. And I think talking about it is really one of the most important ways to do it.”
Allison Holker Boss, professional dancer and widow of the late Boss, recently gave her first major interview People magazine about his death, telling the outlet, “No one had any suspicion that he was low. He didn’t want people to know. He just wanted to be everyone’s Superman and protector.”
She also shared that she wanted him to be remembered in a positive light: “Stephen brought so much joy to this world and he deserves to be remembered as the beautiful man he was.”
