Former “Real Housewives of Potomac” star Candiace Dillard Bassett has publicly criticized Allison Holker, the widow of the late Stephen “tWitch” Boss, for her recent public statements regarding his struggles with drug addiction.
In an emotional interview with PEOPLE, Holker opened up about a “triggering moment” that shed light on her husband’s hidden battle with substance abuse to promote her upcoming memoir, “This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light.”
She revealed that while preparing for tWitch’s funeral, she discovered a box in their closet filled with drugs, including pills, mushrooms, and other substances. The revelation, she explained, was both shocking and heartbreaking, as she was unaware of his struggles.
“It was a really triggering moment for me,” Holker admitted. “It was alarming to learn there was so much happening that I didn’t know about. It was a very scary moment in my life.”
When Holker shared the interview video on her social media Tuesday, furious followers flocked to her comment section with accusations that she’s disgracing her late husband’s legacy.
Among those displeased with tWitch’s widow is TV reality star Candiace Dillard Bassett, who took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her disapproval of Holker’s decision to disclose such private details, calling it irresponsible and harmful to the legacy of the beloved dancer and entertainer.
In a now-viral post, Candiace wrote, “I’m not even gonna say it. But this white woman is doing everything BUT protecting her Black children and her Black husband’s legacy. She could’ve kept this in her therapist’s office. SMH.”
The outspoken reality star continued, voicing her concern over the potential fallout from Holker’s comments, particularly for Black men who often face heightened stigmatization around mental health and substance abuse issues.
“Black men deal with stereotypes around mental health, drug use, alcohol abuse, etc., and are stigmatized far more greatly for these issues. In my opinion, this is a haphazard and irresponsible way to ‘bring awareness.'”
Candiace went on to suggest that Holker could have chosen a more thoughtful platform to share such a deeply personal story.
“She could’ve just easily taken this story to Essence or Ebony, where care would have been taken to share such a tragically intimate story of a Black man’s plight against himself,” Candiace added.
Stephen “tWitch” Boss, a celebrated dancer, DJ, and television personality, tragically passed away in December 2022 after taking his own life. Known for his infectious energy on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and his stunning performances on So You Think You Can Dance, tWitch’s death sent shockwaves through the entertainment world.
