Channing Tatum honored his late Magic Mike XXL co-star Stephen "tWitch" Boss.
Last Wednesday, Tatum remembered Boss at the inaugural Dance Hall of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles, according to People. The actor was visibly emotional while paying homage to Boss, who died by suicide on Dec. 13, 2022 at the age of 40.
"I promised myself I wasn't going to cry," Tatum said. "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."
Tatum recalled first witnessing Boss perform as a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance, years before they worked together on the 2015 film Magic Mike XXL.
"My brain just couldn't wrap itself around how this giant, big, beautiful man was moving the way he was," Tatum added. "I was a bigger guy, and I couldn't fathom moving like that."
Tatum said Boss' personality matched his talent. "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 reflected on Boss' ability to connect with everyone around him. "He made all of us fall in love with him," Tatum said, describing Boss as "one of the most brilliant, bright" people who "just loved so big. He just loves so big, and that's why he just shines so much," the actor continued.
Tatum also admitted to having a "man crush" on the late dancer. "Maybe it was because we're both from Alabama and I just felt some sort of kinship to him," he said before saying the motto for the University of Alabama's football team.
"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."
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24/7.
