Octavio Moore

At just nine years old, Octavio had a moment of clarity: he wanted to become a male model—a dream that was as bold as it was unconventional for a young Black boy growing up in his circumstances. Without role models or a roadmap, he took initiative, flipping through the yellow pages to find modeling agencies and convincing his mother to support his first audition. Around the same time, he began journaling, capturing his thoughts, struggles, and aspirations—a practice that became his anchor during seasons of hardship and loneliness.

Octavio’s journey was never easy. It was shaped by setbacks, doubts, and moments of isolation that tested his resolve. Yet, not one to give up on himself, he enrolled in Barbizon Modeling and Acting School, trained as a gymnast, and led performances in school plays, all while earning a cosmetology license by age 18. His relentless drive eventually brought him to New York City, where he signed with two modeling agencies and achieved milestones he once dreamed of—modeling on BET and stepping into opportunities that transformed his life.