im  an American actor, film producer, dancer, and model. i made the film debut in the drama film Coach Carter. my breakthrough role was in the 2006 dance film Step Up, which introduced me to a wider audience I was born and raised in Alabama, appearing in front of the camera for the first time professionally as a fashion model. I began acting in 2004 with a role on CSI: Miami, and have since appeared in more than 20 films, including Havoc, Stop-Loss and Haywire. I was born on April 26, 1980, in Cullman, Alabama, later moving to Wetumpka and then Mississippi when I was 6 years old. I attended Gaither High School in Tampa, Florida and transferred to Tampa Catholic High School after my sophomore year. Upon graduation, I was offered a football scholarship to Glenville State College in Glenville, West Virginia, but turned it down to pursue other interests.