In her post, Holker emphasized that her “sole intention” behind writing her memoir was “to share my own story as well as a part of my life with Stephen to help other people.” This statement reveals her desire to connect with others who may be experiencing similar struggles, drawing on her personal experiences to provide insight and support to those in need.

“Like you, I never really knew what happened, and as I’m trying to piece everything together, I will never truly know,” Holker continued. She expressed her aim to celebrate the love and life she shared with Stephen and their three beautiful children, while also addressing the more complicated aspects of both their lives. This complexity underscores the challenges of grief and understanding after such a profound loss.

Holker also expressed her hope that her narrative could assist others in “catching some red flags that I missed before it’s too late.” This proactive approach highlights her commitment to raising awareness about mental health issues and the importance of recognizing signs of distress in loved ones, aiming to foster a more open dialogue about such critical topics.

According to Holker, all the proceeds from her memoir will be donated to a mental health organization she founded in her late husband’s honor, Move with Kindness. This philanthropic aspect of her work emphasizes her commitment to creating a positive legacy in Stephen’s name, signaling her desire to contribute to the mental health community and support others who may be struggling.

“I believe that if Stephen were able to choose, he would choose to have his story told if it meant saving even one life,” she concluded. “Much love to all those who have supported our family these past few years.” This heartfelt message reflects her deep love for Stephen and her ongoing dedication to ensuring his legacy continues to inspire and help others.

So You Think You Can Dance alumni are voicing their opinions on Allison Holker’s recent comments regarding her late husband, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, while promoting her upcoming memoir. This discourse sheds light on the differing perspectives surrounding the sensitive topics of grief and public memory.

In an interview with PEOPLE for its latest cover story, Holker discussed her new book, This Far: My Story of Love, Loss, and Embracing the Light, where she opened up about the moment she allegedly discovered a “cornucopia” of her husband’s drug paraphernalia while “choosing out an outfit” for him to wear for his funeral. This revelation adds a poignant layer to her narrative, illustrating the complexities of memory and grief amidst tragedy.

Following the circulation of her interview online, and after Holker shared a clip on her social media, several So You Think You Can Dance stars publicly criticized her, condemning the former professional dancer’s recent remarks and decisions. This backlash emphasizes the polarizing nature of her narrative and the scrutiny faced by those in the public eye.

Courtney Ann Platt (née Galiano), who was reportedly a longtime friend of Boss and Holker, and appeared alongside Boss on Season 4 of SYTYCD, publicly criticized Holker in an Instagram post. She referenced PEOPLE’s interview with Holker, which featured the headline: “Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss’ Widow Allison Holker Found His Drug Habit in ‘Very Scary’ Moment Before Funeral.” This highlights the tension surrounding Holker’s narrative and the impact it has on those connected to the Boss family.

In a lengthy caption, Platt criticized Holker’s comments, as well as her decision to write a memoir, calling her actions “by far the most cheesy, classless, opportunistic act” she has ever witnessed. This strong condemnation underscores the emotional weight and fallout of Holker’s revelations, revealing the complexities of grief and public mourning.

“Anyone who knows me knows I go straight to source during a dispute and handle my business, but since there’s clearly no shame in being so public, I haven’t said a word in two years, but here I go,” Platt began her message, highlighting her frustration and the emotional toll of the situation.

“I was there the moment you both connected, I was there the day you got engaged, I stood by your side on your wedding day, I was in your home the day he died. I was by your side because your husband was my family,” she claimed. This personal account adds depth to her critique, emphasizing her connection to both Holker and Boss.

Platt continued, “This is by far the most cheesy, classless, opportunistic act I’ve ever seen in my whole life. We all had to sign some weird NDA to attend his funeral (even his own mother, whom you’ve treated like garbage this whole time, and let’s just remember you wouldn’t have even had a husband if it wasn’t for her) to not share anything or tarnish his name as if that was on anybody’s mind in the first place, and here you go and write a book with all the dirty laundry smearing his name and trying to dim the bright, loyal, loving light that was your husband, my friend. Whether any of it is true or not is definitely inappropriate.”

She also accused Holker of removing her married last name from her social media profiles just two days after Boss’ passing. This accusation indicates a perceived lack of respect for Boss’s legacy and highlights the emotional stakes involved in this public discourse.

“This is how you protect the ‘Boss name’ you so quickly dropped from your social media platforms 48 hours after he passed? His legacy? This is how you shield his children from any further humiliation, harm, and despair?” Platt added, addressing Holker, who shares children Weslie, 16, Maddox, 8, and Zaia, 5, with Boss. “Is this what you want them to remember about him?”

She then criticized Holker for allegedly “moving on,” “living [her] life,” and attending “every carpet [she] can get on, every celebrity row [she] can sit in, every magazine [she] may be in.” This critique raises questions about authenticity and the motives behind public appearances following a tragedy.

“And you needed to do this? Get a journal, a therapist, a friend…but publishing a book shamelessly sharing the pages of your husband’s journal?” Platt questioned. “People magazine? What a joke.” This rhetorical question emphasizes her disdain for the public nature of Holker’s revelations and the perceived exploitation of personal grief.

Platt concluded her post by accusing Holker of launching a “smear campaign” against her husband. This accusation encapsulates the emotional turmoil and the conflicting narratives surrounding Holker’s memoir.

“Yes, he took his own life, which is a reality we all still can’t fathom, and he was clearly having mental health issues, hurting so deeply, and this is your example of empathy? Of your love?” Platt wrote. “This smear marketing campaign for a buck is absolutely not what he would have ever wanted. No matter how badly he was hurting. Not for a second. You’re a living, breathing bulldozer. Stick with your own demons. Shame on you, Allison; shame on your money-hungry team. Let my friend Rest in Peace, not your PR.”

Chelsea Hightower, who also participated in Boss’ season of SYTYCD, supported Platt’s sentiments by taking to her Instagram Stories. This highlights the solidarity among colleagues who feel a responsibility to protect the legacy of their friend.

Accompanying a screenshot of Platt’s post, Hightower wrote, “I’ve known Allison since I was an early teen, and seeing her choose to share such deeply personal details about tWitch’s struggles feels so disappointing and inappropriate. tWitch was an incredibly kind and loving man who always looked out for others, making everyone feel included and valued, including myself.”

“He deserves to be remembered for the light he brought into this world, not reduced to his struggles. Rest in peace. @sir_twitch_alot you’re missed and loved by so many,” she continued in her statement, emphasizing the importance of preserving the positive memory of Boss amidst the controversy.

Meanwhile, Season 7 So You Think You Can Dance winner, Lauren Froderman, also shared Platt’s Instagram post to her own Instagram Stories. This indicates a growing sentiment among former colleagues who are voicing their concerns over Holker’s narrative.

“I haven’t said much because I struggle with figuring out whether it’s my place or not, but this is just not the way to go about things,” Froderman wrote. “Stephen tWitch Boss was loved by so many, and my heart is BROKEN with how things have been unfolding, and this just feels cruel and wrong on so many levels. Thank you, Courtney, for speaking up and giving me the courage to echo that I do not support this.”

“tWitch, you’re still a light to so many and we love and miss you dearly,” she concluded, reinforcing the collective sense of loss felt by those who knew him.

This controversy unfolds as one of Boss’ cousins, Darielle, has been vocal against Holker online, following her interview with PEOPLE, expressing her frustrations on X, formerly known as Twitter. This highlights the familial divisions that can occur in the wake of tragedy.

“Yeah, I don’t give a f—k about an NDA. This crazy woman made me and his actual family sign an NDA just to even attend the funeral,” she wrote in one post, addressing the PEOPLE interview. “She’s been trying to tarnish his legacy and refuses to let the Boss family see the kids. Only to exploit and lie about my cousin. Hell no.”

“I’m so tired of keeping my f—king mouth shut, bro. You did our family so dirty,” she added in another message, highlighting her frustration with the unfolding situation and the perceived injustices surrounding it.

As for Holker, she has yet to address the widespread criticism directly, although she did respond to a follower who criticized her interview with PEOPLE. This reluctance to engage with criticism highlights the challenges of public discourse after personal tragedy.

After sharing the video from her cover story with PEOPLE magazine on Tuesday to her own Instagram page, one of her followers commented, “This whole thing made me sad. He’s gone. Why tear apart this name? I was fully supportive of you moving on and being happy, but this paycheck was not worth disgracing his name.”

Holker responded to the comment, writing, “I will always love you. Just trying to help people feel safe to ask for help and support.” This response highlights her intention to promote mental health awareness, even in the face of criticism.