Check Out Victor Sho’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor Sho.

Hi Victor, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For me, it all started when my brother Femi handed me a bass guitar. That moment introduced me to the arts. From there, I learned drums and piano, and music became my first love. Dance came later in high school—I joined the step team as a freshman and eventually moved into hip-hop dance groups as I got older.

In college, I continued dancing for fun while modeling professionally, which is how I paid for school. At the time, I was on a pre-med biology track—I genuinely wanted to become a doctor, and my Nigerian family fully supported that path. But like many Nigerian parents, they were skeptical about the arts as a career. There’s often a belief that it’s not a stable or sustainable way to make a living.

Even though modeling was helping me financially, dance kept calling me. Friends encouraged me to audition for dance agencies, but I hesitated. Then one day, a friend invited me to what she described as a “fashion networking party.” Since modeling was already part of my world, I agreed. I showed up in a three-piece suit, expecting to network and possibly land my next gig. Instead, I walked into a room full of people in funky, stylish outfits with numbers pinned to their chests—and that’s when I realized it wasn’t a fashion event at all, it was a dance audition.

I decided to go for it, got signed, and that moment completely shifted the trajectory of my life. What started with dance grew into choreography, and eventually opened the door to acting and producing. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with artists like Jamie Foxx, Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar, and Jennifer Lopez, and appear on projects including The Night Agent, Raising Dion, and Orange Is the New Black. Today, I’m actively working across choreography, acting, and producing.

More than anything, though, this journey has been about aligning my life with what I truly wanted for myself. It was never about proving anyone else wrong—it was about proving to myself that I could build the life I envisioned. I’m also a strong believer in work-life balance. For me, success isn’t just about a career in the arts—it’s also about being a husband, a father, and a homeowner. That combination is what I personally define as a full life, and I’m grateful to be living it.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. One of the earliest challenges I faced was navigating life as an undocumented immigrant. I came to the United States at a very young age and didn’t fully understand my status until later in life, but it impacted nearly every opportunity I pursued. I had to turn down scholarships, professional opportunities, and even major career moments—like modeling contracts and international work, including Milan Fashion Week—simply because I didn’t have the proper documentation. Even after receiving my green card, there were still limitations. I couldn’t take on certain international jobs I had booked, and that forced me to develop resilience, adaptability, and a strong work ethic at a young age.

In the modeling industry, I faced both systemic and personal challenges. There were often higher physical expectations placed on me, especially around body type and skin, and I also had to navigate environments where personal boundaries were not always respected. Those experiences taught me a lot about protecting my peace, standing firm in who I was, and finding spaces that aligned more with my values.

Dance came with its own learning curve. I started later than many dancers around me and didn’t grow up formally trained, so I constantly felt like I was catching up. I would walk into auditions for styles outside my wheelhouse—ballet, contemporary, technical forms that others had trained in for years. But instead of letting that discourage me, I leaned into what made me unique: my musicality, performance quality, adaptability, and individuality. That persistence eventually led to opportunities with brands like Bloomingdale’s, Old Navy, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Macy’s. Ironically, one of my biggest campaigns ended up being a nine-spot Old Navy commercial where I was hired as a model who could dance—bringing both worlds together.

One of the biggest turning points in my career came shortly after signing with Clear Talent Group. One of my first television jobs was supposed to be Saturday Night Live. Danielle Flora, an incredible choreographer, gave me my first real opportunity to dance and act in a skit alongside Lady Gaga and Madonna. At the time, it felt like the breakthrough moment I had been waiting for. But because SNL books talent last-minute—sometimes only a day or two before the show—I ran into another obstacle. Although I had already been hired, NBC couldn’t complete my background checks in time because I was still only a green card holder and not yet a citizen. Danielle fought hard for me, writing letters, speaking with NBC, and coordinating with my agents, but ultimately I lost the opportunity.

What stayed with me most was that she didn’t give up on me after that. She made sure the vetting process was handled moving forward so that when the next opportunity came, I’d already be cleared. Because of that, she continued bringing me back for Saturday Night Live and Comedy Central projects over a dozen times afterward. I eventually got to dance and act in sketches with people like Jim Carrey, Bruce Willis, Steve Carell, and many others. Every opportunity felt like another step forward after years of setbacks.

Eventually, I transitioned more seriously into acting, which was always the craft I felt most deeply connected to. But when early acting opportunities started coming my way, I realized I wasn’t fully prepared. So I made the decision to invest in myself and train seriously. I studied for three years at William Esper Studio under Terry Knickerbocker and continued another year when he opened his studio in Brooklyn. It was an intense conservatory-style program where discipline and attendance meant everything. During that time, I had to turn down major opportunities—including tours with Salt-N-Pepa, a Broadway tour for Legally Blonde, and even a huge callback for the original cast of Hamilton for the role of Hercules. Those decisions were difficult, but I knew I was building a foundation for longevity instead of chasing short-term wins.

Since graduating in 2015, I’ve consistently worked across television and film while continuing to grow in choreography and producing. Today, I work across all three disciplines, and more than anything, I’m proud that I created a life that genuinely aligns with who I am. It was never about proving people wrong—it was about proving to myself that I could build the life I wanted. I’m also a strong believer in work-life balance. For me, success isn’t just about career accomplishments—it’s also about being a husband, a father, and a homeowner. That’s what I personally define as a full life, and I’m grateful that I’ve been able to build it.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an actor, producer, and choreographer. In the world of acting I am theater trained but I do more TV and film. As a choreographer in the dance industry I can choreograph most styles of dance but my specialty falls in the commercial/street style category. As a Choreographer/dancer I was known by many mainly because of my personality and my ability to book work non stop. I love connecting with people, networking, and just sharing positive energy. Was I known mostly in the industry for my elaborate ability to do the style of Stepping, amongst others styles like hip hop, caribbean, and afro dance?… yes. However, I was also known as a cool person to be around. That, with my talent, always left a lasting impression. This persona of mine stands true in the acting industry as well. Many know me from my roles on Raising Dion (Netflix), FBI (CBS), The Night Agent (Netflix), Holiday Hideaway (BET+) and more. However, those who worked with me have a more lasting memory and stronger relationship with me. It’s all based on being optimistic and being kind to others. This along with my perseverance, drive, and work ethic is what sets me aside from many artists.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I have a movie coming soon that I am excited for, so keep an eye out. It’s the film adaptation for the Tony Award winning Broadway play called “Major Barbara.” I also started a film production company called True Form Media Group. We have a pretty hefty slate and are aggressively pushing two projects. A feature film that is a suspense horror-thriller called “Durga” and a TV series that is a drama called “Room For 3.” We already have notable/award winning talent in front and behind the camera attached. So we are building great momentum, especially with Durga, gaining widespread interest to collaborate with major production companies and go from script to screen.

I love exploring all areas of my talent and I love pushing myself to grow everyday in anything I choose to do in my life. In the world of choreography/dance I took a small hiatus but I have recently decided to start choreographing for artist/productions, do movement coach work, and pour back into the community teaching dance again. Not too long after making that decision I booked a job as the co-choreographer for a Glad commercial featuring Oscar the Grouch, I landed some very fun dance workshops to teach at in the summer stateside/abroad, combined movement with fitness and started leading dance fitness classes.

I found ways to evolve in the world of music as well. I went from playing instruments and singing in my church choir to now writing/creating music. I love R&B and I love embracing my Nigerian culture in any way possible, so I found a lane in music, making Afro-R&B songs. I will be releasing this music very soon.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorsho/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictorSho.nyc
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-sho-776076143/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@victorshoofficial
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VictorSho1
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7584892/

Image Credits
Ted Ely Life style photos
Stills from FBI on CBS
Stills from The Night Agent on Netflix
Stills from Orange is The New Black on Netflix (BTS)
Stills from Raising Dion on Netflix Red Carpet Premier