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Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, ‘Ellen’ show’s dancing DJ, dies at 40

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Stephen “tWitch” Boss, the longtime and beloved dancing DJ on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and a former contestant on “So You Think You Can Dance,” has died at the age of 40.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” his wife Allison Holker Boss said in a statement to People magazine. “Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”

The Los Angeles coroner said Boss’ cause of death was suicide.

tWitch started his tenure at “The Ellen Show” in 2014 and later was promoted to co-executive producer in 2020.

“I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia,” Ellen DeGeneres stated on Twitter, alongside a photo of the two embracing in a hug backstage.

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The dancer-DJ also appeared in films like “Step Up: All In” and “Magic Mike XXL” and was featured in Disney+’s ”The Hip Hop Nutcracker,” released this year. He also had placed as a runner-up on “So You Think You Can Dance” and later judged season 17 of the dance competition show.

The Alabama native studied dance performance at Southern Union State Community College and Chapman University.

His love of dancing permeated through all aspects of his life as he aspired to emulate greats like Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.

“My personal opinion: The greatest of all time had to be Gene Kelly, man. Gene Kelly, because he’s a guy’s guy. I love Fred Astaire, but Fred Astaire was so smooth, and it was great. He was so classy,” Boss said in an interview with the Associated Press in 2014. “But Gene Kelly — he could be like somebody’s dad, who just decided to get up off the couch and dance around and clean the kitchen up.”

Boss posted dance videos on TikTok with his wife, who is also a professional dancer, with their children making guest appearances.

Celebrities like Questlove, Kerry Washington and Carrie Ann Inaba posted on social media in mourning.

“I have no words man. May his family find resolution in this dark time. May we all find peace of mind in our everyday lives. Everyday is a winding road and you just may never know who is on the edge,” Questlove posted on Instagram.

“Twitch brought joy and love to people all over the world through music and through dance. My heart is heavy today for his family and all of those who knew and loved him,” Washington also posted on Instagram.

“He was a special one. A good man, a husband, an artist, a dancer, an entertainer, a bright light…He was extraordinary. He could do anything and he did it with a joy and grace and some swagger. Twitch, I’m at a loss… my heart seems to be frozen… like I don’t want to exhale, hoping that maybe if I don’t exhale, that someone will correct this horrible mistake. And all will be okay again,” Inaba, a “Dancing with the Stars” judge, posted on Instagram.

Boss’s passing was first reported by TMZ.

He is survived by his wife and three children.

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Miss Utah’s Teen Elle Anderson Crowned Miss America’s Teen 2027

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September 6, 2026

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Anderson makes history as Utah’s first Miss America’s Teen winner, earning the national crown after preliminary wins in talent and evening wear

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (FNN) — Miss Utah’s Teen Elle Anderson was crowned Miss America’s Teen 2027 on Saturday, becoming the first representative from Utah to win the national title and the 21st young woman to wear the Miss America’s Teen crown.

Anderson emerged from a field of 52 state delegates representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico during the national competition in West Palm Beach.

Her victory follows preliminary awards in talent and evening wear. Anderson earned the talent recognition for her violin performance of “Czardas” by Vittorio Monti.

Elle Anderson Makes History for Utah

Anderson’s victory marks a milestone for the Miss Utah organization as its first Miss America’s Teen national title.

Beyond competition, Anderson has focused her platform on youth leadership, service and emergency preparedness.

Her Community Service Initiative, Every Beat Matters, was created in honor of her late brother and promotes teen-focused CPR training and emergency readiness.

The initiative centers on three principles — Confidence, Preparation and Rescue — with the goal of giving young people practical skills that could help save lives.

More Than $40,000 in Scholarships

Anderson has earned more than $40,000 in scholarships through the Miss America Opportunity.

She is enrolled at Brigham Young University, where she plans to study journalism and business. Anderson also plans to pursue law school.

Her combination of academic goals, community service and performing arts experience helped distinguish her throughout the national competition.

Anderson: ‘You Don’t Need a Crown to Be a Leader’

As Miss America’s Teen 2027, Anderson will serve as a national ambassador for the program, traveling and encouraging young women to pursue leadership and community service.

“I want every young person I meet this year to walk away knowing that their voice matters, their choices matter, and most importantly, they matter,” Anderson said in a statement.

“You don’t need a crown to be a leader. You don’t need a title to serve. You don’t need to wait for someone to tell you that you’re ready. You are ready,” she added.

Anderson said she wants to spend her year as Miss America’s Teen reinforcing that message to young women across the country.

Miss America’s Teen 2027 Top Five

Anderson secured the crown after advancing through multiple rounds of competition and reaching the Top 5.

Madalyn Sullivan of Mississippi was named first runner-up, followed by Zoe Zogleman of Texas as second runner-up, Natalia Yurecko of Minnesota as third runner-up and Logan Wells of South Carolina as fourth runner-up.

Semifinalists included Melony Tidmore of Georgia, Aria Christensen of Oregon, Tianna Lei Wailehua of Hawaii, Camdyn Lee of North Carolina, Lucille Esler of New York and Kendall Laroche of New Hampshire.

A New National Role Begins

With the crown, Anderson begins a yearlong national role representing Miss America’s Teen and promoting her Every Beat Matters initiative.

Her historic victory combines several elements of the Miss America Opportunity — scholarship, talent, service, education and leadership — while giving Utah its first Miss America’s Teen national title.

For Anderson, the crown also provides a national platform for a deeply personal mission: helping young people develop the confidence and preparation to respond when someone’s life may depend on them.

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Miss Texas, Miss Utah and Miss New Jersey Win 2026 Miss America Preliminary Talent Awards

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1 day ago

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September 5, 2026

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Photo: Miss America

Miss Texas, Miss Utah and Miss New Jersey earn Miss America talent honors as national competition heads into championship weekend

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (FNN) — The Miss America Organization announced the 2026 Miss America and Miss America’s Teen Kawai Pianos Preliminary Talent Award winners following the Miss America’s Got Talent competition at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach.

The Sept. 3 competition showcased the talents of delegates competing for the Miss America and Miss America’s Teen titles, with performances spanning a range of artistic disciplines.

Miss America preliminary talent winners Miss Texas Regan Hutsell, Miss Utah Erika Dalton and Miss New Jersey Kylie Gene Wright celebrate after receiving Kawai Pianos Preliminary Talent Awards during the Miss America’s Got Talent competition in West Palm Beach, Florida. Source Miss America

 

Miss America Preliminary Talent Award Winners

Three Miss America delegates received Kawai Pianos Preliminary Talent Awards, with each winner earning a $3,000 scholarship:

  • Miss Texas Regan Hutsell
  • Miss Utah Erika Dalton
  • Miss New Jersey Kylie Gene Wright

The awards recognize artistry, creativity, discipline and dedication demonstrated during the preliminary talent competition.

Miss America’s Teen preliminary talent winners Miss Utah’s Teen Elle Anderson, Miss Oregon’s Teen Aria Christensen and Miss New Hampshire’s Teen Kendall Laroche celebrate with their Kawai Pianos Preliminary Talent Awards during the national competition in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Miss America’s Teen Preliminary Talent Award Winners

Three Miss America’s Teen delegates also earned preliminary talent honors. Each receives a $1,500 scholarship:

  • Miss Utah’s Teen Elle Anderson
  • Miss Oregon’s Teen Aria Christensen
  • Miss New Hampshire’s Teen Kendall Laroche

The six preliminary awards provide a combined $13,500 in scholarships.

Seven Judges Evaluate Miss America Talent Competition

The preliminary talent performances were evaluated by a seven-member judging panel representing entertainment and the performing arts.

Judges included Alida Michal, Brooklyn Mack, Jill Twiss, J. Harrison Ghee, Lora Drasner, Shelly Bramhall and Marisha Wallace.

The talent competition remains a central component of the Miss America program, giving delegates an opportunity to demonstrate performance ability while competing for scholarship awards.

Miss America Championship Weekend Continues in West Palm Beach

The national competition continues Saturday, Sept. 5, with the Miss America’s Teen Final at 7 p.m.

The Miss America Final follows Sunday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m., when the organization is scheduled to crown the 99th Miss America.

Both events are being held at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach as The Palm Beaches hosts the national competition.

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Lee Brice, Kane Brown, Brantley Gilbert, Brandon Lake and Stephen Wilson Jr. to Headline Audacy’s Stars and Strings in South Florida

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2 days ago

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September 4, 2026

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Audacy’s Stars and Strings, presented by Xfinity, will feature Lee Brice, Kane Brown, Brantley Gilbert, Brandon Lake and Stephen Wilson Jr. at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, on Nov. 12, 2026. The event benefits Folds of Honor. Source: AUDACY

11th annual country music benefit returns to Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, supporting scholarships for families of fallen or disabled military members and first responders

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (FNN) — Country music stars Lee Brice, Kane Brown, Brantley Gilbert, Brandon Lake and Stephen Wilson Jr. will take the stage in South Florida this fall for Audacy’s 11th annual Stars and Strings, presented by Xfinity.

The benefit concert returns to Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood on Thursday, Nov. 12, marking the event’s fifth year in South Florida.

The star-studded evening will benefit Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen or disabled U.S. military service members and first responders.

Star-Studded Country Lineup

The 2026 lineup brings together several prominent names in country and contemporary music.

Lee Brice, Kane Brown, Brantley Gilbert and Brandon Lake will be joined by Audacy LAUNCH artist Stephen Wilson Jr. for the annual event.

Stars and Strings will be hosted by South Florida country radio station KISS Country 99.9 (WKIS-FM), with station personalities Dina B, TC, Katie Neal, Rob, Holly and Coop participating in the evening.

“Country music has a long, proud tradition of honoring our service members, and Stars and Strings continues to bring that tradition to life,” Tim Roberts, Audacy’s country format vice president, said in announcing the event.

“Now in its fifth year in South Florida, Stars and Strings has become a powerful reflection of the deep ties we share with the communities we serve. We’re excited to unite fans and honor the sacrifice, service and legacy of America’s heroes.”

Concert Supports Folds of Honor

Beyond the music, Stars and Strings will raise awareness and support for Folds of Honor and its scholarship programs.

Since its founding in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded more than 73,000 educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled U.S. military service members and first responders, according to event organizers.

The organization says 91% of every dollar raised directly supports its scholarship programs, helping spouses and children pursue educational opportunities.

Tickets and Presale Information

The Stars and Strings presale is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern, or while supplies last.

Fans can obtain presale information by following KISS Country 99.9 on social media, subscribing to the station’s newsletter or listening on-air.

General ticket sales begin Friday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m. Eastern through Ticketmaster.

Stars and Strings 2026 at a Glance

What: Audacy’s 11th Annual Stars and Strings, presented by Xfinity
When: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026
Where: Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida
Performers: Lee Brice, Kane Brown, Brantley Gilbert, Brandon Lake and Stephen Wilson Jr.
Beneficiary: Folds of Honor
Host Station: KISS Country 99.9 (WKIS-FM)

Stars and Strings is presented by Xfinity, with additional support from Visit Lauderdale, Liberty Mutual, AutoZone, NUTRL/Bud Light, Demesmin & Dover Law Firm and CareRite Centers.

The combination of major country music performers, a South Florida destination and a mission supporting military and first-responder families positions Stars and Strings as one of the region’s notable country music benefit events this fall.

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