Channing Tatum stepped up for Stephen “tWitch” Boss.
The Magic Mike alum was on hand to honor the late dancer at the Dance Hall of Fame Ceremony in Los Angeles Dec. 3 and got emotional as he reflected on the bond the two shared.
“I promised myself I wasn't going to cry,” Channing told the crowd through tears, per People. “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.”
The 45-year-old explained that he originally wasn’t sure what to say about Stephen, adding, “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 and Stephen starred alongside each other in 2015’s Magic Mike XXL, and as Channing recalled, Stephen “loved fiercely.”
“He just loves so big,” Channing gushed, “and that's why he just shines so much.”
And in terms of the So You Think You Can Dance alum’s dancing skills? Channing was constantly amazed by Stephen’s abilities.
“My brain just couldn't wrap itself around how this giant, big, beautiful man was moving the way he was,” he said. “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 joked that he had “a man crush” on the dancer, but that it couldn’t be helped as Stephen “made all of us fall in love with him.”
“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,” Channing said. “He wanted to help and he wanted to be there.”
And the Roofman actor had an idea as to why he and Stephen bonded so quickly.
“Maybe it was because we're both from Alabama and I just felt some sort of kinship to him,” he added. “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,” Channing shared. “It was an honor to call him a friend, and I will see him again.”
The Dance Hall of Fame honor comes three years after Stephen's death by suicide in December 2022 at age 40. And since his death, his wife Allison Holker and their children Weslie, 17, Maddox, 9, and Zaia, 6, have also honored his legacy, most recently on what would have been his 43rd birthday.
“Happy heavenly birthday Stephen,” Allison wrote on Instagram in September. “We love you and still feel all your love. We celebrated by doing some of your favorite things Korean BBQ, Comic book store and cookies and cream.”
She added, “Sending you all our love and support and appreciate yours.”
For a look back at Stephen, Allison and their family, keep reading.
Homecoming
Allison posted a photo of daughter Weslie heading to her high school homecoming dance in October 2023.
Dance Return
Allison shared her first new dance video since Stephen's death, appearing in a TikTok with daughter Weslie in August 2023. The two danced to a remix of "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic.
Family Movie Night
Allison appeared with kids Weslie, Maddox and Zaia at the Los Angeles premiere of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in May 2023.
Thanksgiving 2022
"Thankful for family. Thankful for health. Thankful for love. Thankful for life," Stephen wrote on Instagram in November 2022. "Sending y'all so much love from our family to yours. #bossfamily #turkeyday."
Happy Halloween 2022
The family dressed up as the Addams Family.
Father's Day 2022
"Happy Father's Day!!!!" Stephen wrote on Instagram in June 2022. "Being a father to these three incredible children has been the greatest gift and duty ever. Big love to all the fathers and father figures out there. I hope you are showered in love today!! #fathersday"
Family Father's Day Photo
Stephen appeared with Allison, Weslie, Maddox and Zaia on Father's Day 2022.
Happy 6th Birthday Maddox
Stephen appeared with son Maddox in March on the child's 6th birthday in March 2022.
"Happy birthday son," he wrote on Instagram. "Can't believe this little prince Boss is already 6 years old. Where has the time gone. When did he get so tall? So smart? So capable and self reliant. Too quickly is the answer. But I couldn't be more proud of the light he continues to bring to the world. Also, how everyday he is teaching me to be a better father and man…….as I'm teaching him. It's a beautiful cycle."
Ho Ho Ho!
Family Dance 2021
The family members wore matching Children's Place holiday PJs and showcase their dance moves in September 2021.
Happy Halloween 2021
Sunny day...
Father-Son Dance 2021
Stephen danced with son Maddox.
Family Dance
The two danced with their son Maddox in January 2021.
Movie Night 2020
The two appeared with their kids Weslie and Maddox at the premiere of Disney's Mulan reboot.
Happy New Year 2020
On New Year's Eve 2019, Allison shared this photo of herself with Stephen and youngest kids Maddox and Zaia, and reflected on their love story.
"An incredible decade!!" she wrote on Instagram. "In this decade, Weslie and I moved to LA, I met Stephen and fell in love , we got married, we explored the world, we have amazing memories from our careers, I was able to create & grow with dance on SYTYCD, HIT THE FLOOR and DWTS. Hosted DISNEYS FAIRY TALE WEDDINGS. My favorite part was growing our family, having our beautiful children! #decade #newyearseve #funtolookback #life #love #experience #memories #newyork @sir_twitch_alot."
Bump and Grind
At 40 weeks pregnant and due to give birth to their daughter Zaia any day, Allison shared this video of herself dancing with Boss in November 2019.
Movie Night 2019
The two appeared with their kids Weslie and Maddox at the premiere of Disney's Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil.
Movie Night 2018
The couple and their kids Weslie and Maddox attended the premiere of Disney's Ralph Breaks the Internet in Hollywood.