Alvester Martin: The Inspiring True Story You Never Knew
Introduction
Some people chase their dreams quietly. Others chase them while sleeping in their car, putting every dollar they earn back into their art, and refusing to quit no matter how hard life gets. Alvester Martin is the second kind of person, and his story is one you are not going to forget easily.
If you have been watching BET+ or following R&B music closely, the name Alvester Martin might already ring a bell. Born on February 16, 1988, in Miami, Florida, this multitalented entertainer has built a career that spans dancing, singing, acting, and modeling. He has performed alongside some of the biggest names in music, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Mariah Carey. But what makes his journey truly remarkable is not the famous stages he has stood on. It is everything he had to endure before he got there.
This article takes you through Alvester Martin’s life from start to finish. You will learn about his early beginnings in Miami, his breakthrough as a professional dancer, his struggles with homelessness, his music career, and his evolution into a recognized actor now known professionally as Skyh Black. Whether you just discovered him or have followed him for years, there is a lot here that will surprise and inspire you.
Who Is Alvester Martin? A Quick Overview
Alvester Martin, now widely known by his professional name Skyh Black, is an American actor, dancer, singer, and model. He was raised by his grandparents in Miami, Florida. His grandparents came from Alabama and brought with them a strong sense of discipline and faith, which shaped him early on.
He is best known today for his role as Amp “Addiction” Anthony in the BET+ drama series “All the Queen’s Men” and as Jacobi Sellers in the BET comedy drama “Sistas,” both produced by Tyler Perry. But long before television came calling, Alvester Martin was grinding his way through the competitive world of professional dance.
What is important to understand about him is that he never fit into just one box. From the beginning, he wanted to sing, dance, act, and create. That kind of ambition is not always easy to manage, but for Alvester Martin, it was always the plan.
Early Life in Miami: A Dancer is Born
Growing up in South Florida with his grandparents, Alvester was the youngest person in his household. His aunts and uncles were around, but there were no other kids his age to play with. So he found entertainment in something that would change his entire life: Michael Jackson videos.
At just three years old, he became completely fascinated watching Jackson perform on television. He tried to recreate the moonwalk in his living room and ended up breaking his leg right above the growth plate. Doctors told him he might not walk normally or grow well. He grew to six feet tall. That moment set the tone for everything that came after.
His grandparents recognized his passion and enrolled him in tap dancing classes around age five. They were not particularly enthusiastic about their grandson doing ballet, so they steered him toward tap. But the universe had other ideas.
Training at New World School of the Arts
Alvester was eventually enrolled at New World School of the Arts in downtown Miami, a prestigious magnet school that focuses on training students in dance, theater, music, and visual art. This is where his raw talent began to be shaped into something polished and professional.
He studied both dance and theater there, and by age 16, he had become a professional ballet dancer despite the fact that a teacher had told him directly he would never succeed in ballet. That teacher said he did not have the right physique or body type. Alvester heard the criticism, internalized it as fuel, and proved the teacher wrong.
That early experience of being told no and pushing through it became one of the defining patterns of his life.
Moving to New York and Training at SAB
After excelling in Miami, Alvester set his sights even higher. He trained at the School of American Ballet (SAB) at Lincoln Center in New York City, one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world. Getting a spot there is incredibly competitive, and just being accepted is a major accomplishment for any dancer.
His time in New York gave him technical refinement and professional exposure that would prepare him for the next chapter of his career.
Breaking Into the Big Leagues: Dancing With Music Icons
After New York, Alvester made the move that many ambitious entertainers make: he headed to Los Angeles. His goal was to break into the music industry, and his dancing skills opened doors that most people cannot even find.
He quickly landed work as a backup dancer for some of the most iconic performers in music history.
Dancing With Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Mariah Carey
Alvester Martin’s big break as a dancer came when he started booking gigs with world class artists. He performed with Beyoncé at the MTV VMAs, which is one of the most watched music events in the world. He went on tour with Mariah Carey. He performed with Rihanna as well.
These were not small opportunities. The MTV VMAs alone reach tens of millions of viewers globally, and being chosen as a backup dancer for an artist like Beyoncé means you are among the very best in the business. You do not get that kind of work by being average.
He also appeared in Michael Jackson’s posthumous music video for “A Place with No Name,” a deeply meaningful credit given that Jackson was the original source of his love for dance.
What He Learned From Working With These Artists
Alvester has spoken openly about what those experiences taught him. One of the most powerful lessons he took away from being around these creatives was about emotional discipline. He came across a quote from Warren Buffett that stayed with him: if you cannot control your emotions, you cannot control your money. Watching how seasoned professionals carried themselves showed him that passion without discipline leads nowhere.
He also learned to protect himself emotionally. Being overly compassionate in a business-driven industry can leave you vulnerable. It was a hard lesson, but a necessary one.
The Struggle No One Talks About: Homelessness and Sacrifice
Here is the part of Alvester Martin’s story that tends to stop people in their tracks. Despite working on major stages and booking high-profile gigs, he experienced homelessness not once, but three times.
He has been open about the fact that every dollar he earned went straight back into his art. Recording sessions, production costs, and building his music career took everything he had financially. He put his craft above his comfort, and the result was that there were periods where he had no stable place to live.
One of the most jaw-dropping details of his story is that he was appearing on a major network television reality series, Vivica’s Black Magic on Lifetime, while simultaneously experiencing homelessness. He was on screen, visible to audiences across the country, and still struggling to keep a roof over his head.
That gap between what the public sees and what an artist actually lives is real, and Alvester Martin lived it at a very high level.
How Faith Kept Him Going
When asked how he stayed motivated through the hardest times, his answer has always been consistent: God. He has described homelessness as something that pulls you closer to faith because you genuinely do not know how things will work out. You are taking a gamble every single day.
He has said that during his lowest points, he asked God whether he was even supposed to be on this path. The answer he kept coming back to was yes. And he kept going.
That combination of spiritual grounding and relentless work ethic is what separates his story from a cautionary tale and makes it an inspiring one instead.
Alvester Martin the Musician: The “Love Me or Leave Me” Album
While dance was the vehicle that got him to Los Angeles and into major entertainment circles, music was always the destination. Alvester Martin signed a deal with Universal Music Group and began working toward releasing his debut album.
In 2016, he released his debut R&B single and music video titled “Overdose” under the name Alv3ster. The album he released is called “Love Me or Leave Me,” and it chronicles the last four to five years of his life leading up to its creation.
He recorded the entire album in just two weeks in November 2016. The project is deeply personal. He has described it as an act of calling himself out, forcing himself to confront his own insecurities, his flaws, and the ways he had allowed other people’s opinions to shape his self-perception.
The message of the album, as he has explained it, is essentially this: either you accept yourself as you are, commit to improving, and learn to love who you are, or you spend your life pretending to be something you are not just to please other people. That is a theme that resonates far beyond music.
From Mixtape Thinking to Album Confidence
One detail about the making of “Love Me or Leave Me” that reveals a lot about where Alvester was mentally at the time: he originally called it a mixtape in his own head. He was afraid that if it failed as an album, the label of mixtape would soften the blow.
He eventually made a conscious decision to call it what it was: an album. Whether it sold one copy or a million, it was an album. That shift in thinking from fear-based to confidence-based was a turning point for him personally, not just professionally.
He has since indicated that he is working on a second studio album, alongside his growing acting career.
The Acting Career: Becoming Skyh Black
The transformation from Alvester Martin the dancer and singer to Skyh Black the actor happened in a way that reflects how many of the best things in life come about: unexpectedly, through someone else seeing something in you that you had not fully recognized yourself.
After choreographer Debbie Allen saw Alvester at a particularly low point, she encouraged him strongly to pursue acting. It was a push he needed from someone whose creative instincts he respected. He listened.
Breaking Into Television
His television debut came in 2017 when he appeared in Vivica’s Black Magic on Lifetime, a reality series about Vivica A. Fox creating an all-male exotic dance group. He appeared in eight episodes as himself, using the name Alvester.
He also appeared in a small role in the Showtime comedy series Black Monday in 2019. These early appearances were stepping stones that helped him develop his on-screen presence and gain industry relationships.
Before landing his major roles, he also worked as a valet in Los Angeles to support himself, which adds another layer to the grinding, unglamorous process of building a career in entertainment.
All the Queen’s Men and Sistas: The Breakthrough
The role that truly elevated his profile came when he was cast as Amp “Addiction” Anthony in the BET+ drama series “All the Queen’s Men.” The series allowed him to demonstrate real dramatic range, and he appeared across multiple seasons including Season 4.
He also portrays Jacobi Sellers in the BET comedy drama “Sistas,” another Tyler Perry produced series. Both shows have strong audiences and gave Alvester Martin the kind of consistent screen time that builds a loyal fan base.
His relationship in real life with actress KJ Smith, who also appears in “Sistas,” became widely followed as well. The two married in a beautiful ceremony in Malibu and have since welcomed a baby girl together.
Alvester Martin’s Personal Life and Values
Beyond the performances and the career milestones, Alvester Martin is known for being someone who has stayed grounded despite significant fame. He has spoken about his family, his faith, and his commitment to authenticity throughout his career.
He has a sister named Aisha Francis who is a choreographer, which speaks to the artistic roots that run through his family. He has been vocal on social media about sharing genuine glimpses of his life rather than presenting a filtered version of success.
He is also known for his philanthropic interests, attending charitable events and using his platform to speak on social issues that matter to him.
One quote he has shared that captures his philosophy well comes from TD Jakes: what you think about me is none of my business. That kind of mindset, built through years of being told he would not succeed and proving otherwise, is at the core of who Alvester Martin is.
What Makes Alvester Martin’s Story Worth Knowing
There are many people in entertainment who have talent. There are fewer who have talent combined with the kind of resilience that Alvester Martin has demonstrated throughout his career. His story is worth knowing for a few specific reasons.
First, he did not wait for the industry to hand him anything. He trained rigorously, moved cities when he needed to, and took every opportunity seriously even when the pay was not great and the visibility was minimal.
Second, he dealt with genuine hardship at the highest levels of visibility. Being homeless while appearing on television is not a contradiction that many people could emotionally navigate, but he did.
Third, he refused to stay in one lane. In an industry that often tries to box artists into a single category, Alvester Martin built a career that spans dance, music, television, and film. His sister is a choreographer. He is a singer, an actor, a model, and a producer. That breadth of creative output is not accidental. It reflects a person who has always known that his gift is larger than any single format.
If you are someone who has been told you cannot do something, whether because of your background, your appearance, your resources, or someone else’s limited imagination, his story is exactly the kind of reminder you need that the path forward exists even when it is not visible yet.
Conclusion
Alvester Martin’s journey from a Miami kid mimicking Michael Jackson moves in his grandparents’ living room to a Tyler Perry television star is not a straight line. It is full of setbacks, sacrifices, and moments where quitting would have been the easier choice.
What you take away from his story depends on where you are in your own. But if there is one thread that runs through everything, it is this: he never stopped believing in his own gift, even when the circumstances around him gave him every reason to doubt.
From ballet stages in New York to BET+ series in Hollywood, Alvester Martin has built something real and lasting. And by all indications, the next chapter is going to be even bigger.
Are you a fan of Skyh Black’s work? Have you followed his journey from the dance world into acting? Share your thoughts and let others discover his story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alvester Martin? Alvester Martin, also known professionally as Skyh Black, is an American actor, dancer, singer, and model. He was born on February 16, 1988, in Miami, Florida, and raised by his grandparents. He is best known for his roles in the BET+ series “All the Queen’s Men” and the BET series “Sistas.”
Why is Alvester Martin also called Skyh Black? He adopted the professional name Skyh Black as he transitioned into acting. The name became his primary identity in the entertainment world, particularly after his breakthrough in Tyler Perry produced television series on BET and BET+.
What famous artists has Alvester Martin danced for? Alvester Martin has worked as a backup dancer for Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Mariah Carey. He performed with Beyoncé at the MTV VMAs and toured with Mariah Carey. He also appeared in a posthumous Michael Jackson music video.
Was Alvester Martin really homeless? Yes. He has spoken publicly about being homeless three separate times during his career. He chose to reinvest every dollar he earned back into his music and art, which led to financial instability. He was experiencing homelessness even while appearing on the Lifetime reality series Vivica’s Black Magic.
What is Alvester Martin’s debut album? His debut album is called “Love Me or Leave Me.” He recorded it in two weeks in November 2016. The album is a deeply personal project that explores self-acceptance, insecurity, and personal growth. He initially released it under the name Alv3ster.
What TV shows has Alvester Martin appeared in? He has appeared in Vivica’s Black Magic on Lifetime, Black Monday on Showtime, “All the Queen’s Men” on BET+, and “Sistas” on BET. His roles in the BET and BET+ Tyler Perry productions are considered his most significant acting work to date.
Who is Alvester Martin married to? He is married to actress KJ Smith, who also appears in the BET series “Sistas.” The two had a wedding ceremony in Malibu and have welcomed a baby girl together.
Where did Alvester Martin study dance? He studied at the New World School of the Arts in Miami and later trained at the School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center in New York City, which is one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world.
What inspired Alvester Martin to start dancing? He was inspired by Michael Jackson at the age of three while watching his videos at his grandparents’ home. He tried to replicate the moonwalk and broke his leg, but the passion never left him.
Is Alvester Martin working on new music? Yes. He has indicated that he is in the process of working on a second studio album while continuing to grow his acting career. He has also expressed interest in film roles beyond television.
