From an early age, Columbus Short attended several performing arts schools where acting was the focus even though music was his first love. Then in his late teens, he was cast in the musical stage play “Stomp,” which merged both his passions.
Before landing “Stomp,” Short, remembered suffering many disappointments as a young actor going through the auditioning process.
“It got me to start doubting myself. There’s already so much doubt – [you feel like] I’m never going to make it,” he said. “Then at some point you just have to say, ‘Nah, I got this.”’
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Short said he toured internationally with the musical and when he returned home, many of his friends were making money as professional dancers.
“So, I started taking dance classes and then ended up catapulting into the dance game and ended up choreographing for multiple artists – Brandy… Britney Spears – I worked with tons of artists,” said Short.
Then he left dance because Short said he wanted to return to acting full time.
After landing roles in Disney’s “That’s So Raven,” the films “Acceptance” and “Save the Last Dance 2,” and several television guest appearances, Short landed what he called a “life-changing” role in the dance drama film “Stomp the Yard.”
“When ‘Stomp the Yard’ came across the table – I was ready to dance in that movie. I was ready to act in that movie. I was ready to step in that movie,” said Short.
“It was kind of a perfect marriage with my skillset and the content of the film and it changed my life.”
Then a few years later, Short would be cast in the political thriller series “Scandal” as fan-favorite character Harrison Wright but would depart the series after three seasons due to an assortment of reported personal issues.
After “Scandal,” Short made select appearances in the media and the public sphere, and today he is bouncing back into the spotlight with his new Bounce TV sitcom “Mind Your Business.” Short stars as Alfonso Williams in the show and he said it feels great to be back.
“I missed being on a team. I missed being held accountable. I missed working with a crew and a cast — that everybody’s focused on one goal and that’s to make the best possible show,” said Short.
He continued, “When I was on ‘Scandal,’ I think there was – and most of the stuff I’ve done – I’ve been in a bubble, so I never really knew what our work does for the outside consumer – the viewer, and after I was released from ‘Scandal,’ I just had a chance to travel around everywhere.”
Short said he was amazed at the positive global reaction to his career and the profound difference it made on people’s lives.
“I would be anywhere, and kids would come up to me and say, ‘I went to college because of ‘Stomp the Yard,’ or we stopped watching ‘Scandal’ after Harrison died,’” said Short.
“I feel that ‘Mind Your Business’ is a cultural piece. It’s speaking to the culture — timely, poignant subject matters,” he continued.
“I’m back not only in terms of just being on television, but I’m back understanding that we have to be leaders and in a time like this – a show like this is so important for the culture, and I’m just blessed to be a part of the journey.”
Short said returning to comedy has been very cathartic and therapeutic for him and that he is enjoying entertaining audiences on “Mind Your Business.”
“They get to tune in every week and watch me act a fool,” he stated.
