Allison Renae Holker (born February 6, 1988)[1] is an American dancer, choreographer, and actress. Holker has worked in film, television, and concert tours. She is known for appearances on the television dance competition So You Think You Can Dance, where she was a contestant in season 2 and as an All-Star in seasons 7–11 and 14.
Early life and education
Holker was born in Anoka County, Minnesota, grew up in Orem, Utah, and graduated from Timpanogos High School in June 2006. She began her dance training at the age of nine when she enrolled as a student at The Dance Club in Orem. While she was in Orem she began to specialize in contemporary, tap, ballet, and jazz. She performed in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics. She has won dance titles including her first national competition in Co DANCE in 2004 and as the National Senior Outstanding Dancer at the New York City Dance Alliance in 2005.
Holker was featured in the "Jar of Hearts" music video by Christina Perri. In September/October 2011 Holker was one of Demi Lovato's backup-dancers. Holker has taught at different dance conventions and workshops across the country, also branching out into choreography.[2]
Holker was a backup-dancer on The X Factor USA working together with Brian Friedman. On April 30, 2013, she performed a dance routine on Dancing with the Stars with Stephen "tWitch" Boss. They danced to "Crystallize" which was performed live by Lindsey Stirling.[3]
Dancing with the Stars
In August 2014, Holker was announced as one of the 12 professional dancers on the 19th season of Dancing with the Stars.[4] The announcement of Holker, a contemporary dancer, as a cast member was met with controversy due to her limited experience with dancing and teaching Latin Ballroom dance.[citation needed] She partnered with Mean Girls actor Jonathan Bennett.[5] The couple was eliminated on Week 6, finishing in 9th place. On February 11, 2015, Holker was partnered with R5 singer and actor Riker Lynch in the show's 20th season.[6] The couple made it to the finals and finished in second place. For season 21 she was paired with singer Andy Grammer.[7] They were eliminated on Week 8 finishing in 7th place. She did not appear in season 22 due to pregnancy.
Holker returned for season 23 and was partnered with singer-songwriter Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The couple were eliminated on Week 4 and finished in 11th place.
In 2013, Holker and fellow So You Think You Can Dance all-star, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, were married at Villa San-Juliette Winery in Paso Robles, California, owned by SYTYCD producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe.[9] The couple had two children together, a son born in 2016 and a daughter born in 2019.[10][11][12] Holker also has a daughter (born 2008) with her former fiancé.[1] Holker's daughter was later adopted by Stephen Boss after he and Holker were married.
On December 14, 2022, it was announced that Stephen Boss had died by suicide the day before.[13]
