Meet Jacory Deshon

We recently connected with Jacory Deshon and have shared our conversation below.

Jacory, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Hi! My name is Jacory Deshon, and I’m an aspiring actor, model, dancer, and social media influencer out of Houston, Texas. I consider myself as a Multi-talented professional because I have the gift to do so many different things. Ever since I was a little boy, I always knew what I wanted and that was to be an entertainer. I didn’t develop my confidence and self-esteem until after my senior year of high school. Growing up, I was a little overweight. I was over 300 pounds at the age of 18. I never realized how big I was until after I lost all of my weight. After graduating from high school, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in acting, modeling, and dancing so I began to jog everyday. My inspiration to start jogging came from actress Angela Bassett from her movie, ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’. Her running scenes in this film somehow inspired and motivated me to want to get up and just run. It’s amazing how we can get motivated from something we never thought would’ve inspired us, but I’m so glad it worked for me. After losing 75 pounds, I gained so much confidence and started pursuing my dreams in acting, modeling, and dancing. Growing up I was always a dancer, but I never thought I would actually be confident enough to model in runway shows. Well, it happened. I was a runway model for quite a few shows in Houston and I loved every moment of it. At this time I was so into fitness, I wanted to find a fun way to stay in shape and that’s when I discovered Zumba. Zumba is a fitness program that involves cardio and Latin-inspired dance. It was founded by Colombian dancer and choreographer Beto Perez in 2001. When I discovered Zumba, I felt like I found my purpose. I got certified by the amazing late, Julie Kelly – God rest her soul, and I started teaching Zumba at 3 different YMCA locations, Dynamic Fitness, Zumbathon events, Lone Star College Tomball, local parks, private businesses, charity events, and so much more. I loved every minute of Zumba and I had the most incredible students that loved my selection of music and the dance routines. I started teaching Zumba in March 2013, and unfortunately I stopped in July 2018 after getting into a car accident with my brother. It was one of the most traumatic times of my life. During that time, Hurricane Harvey hit Houston and flooded out all the facilities I taught at, so I was out of work for almost a year. By that time, I had gained some weight back, even while still exercising, but it was dropping off me the same. I kind fell into a sort of depression because I missed doing what I loved, but other health issues started to persist causing me to completely stop teaching overall. While at home on bed rest and doing therapy from the car accident, I was so bored and decided to create a short film about my life called, ‘SMILE’. After releasing this short film, I gained my confidence and motivation back to go into acting and ever since then, this is what I’ve been pursuing consistently non stop and have loved every moment of it.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Growing up, I began taking theatre arts and dance classes in high school. I performed in 2 high school plays and I became captain of the hip hop dance team and step team. We performed at school lunches, talent shows, basketball games, pep rallies and more. I always knew I was destined for greatness when I had a strong passion and interest in the entertainment field.

Before I even put out my short film SMILE, I appeared on a TV show. In January 2009, my Mother encouraged me to sign up for KHOU’s Great Day Houston for the Beyoncés Single Ladies dance challenge with Debra Duncan. I signed up and I immediately got a call back. I was scheduled to appear to dance on the show the following week, and I ended up winning first place after competing against 9 other contestants.

After that, I knew I was destined for greatness, so I kept auditioning for more TV shows, dance competitions, and modeling gigs. I auditioned for Bunim Murray’s show, Bad Boys Club and I got voted on the show, however things took a turn when the producer Natalie Nunn canceled the show before we even began filming.

I was devastated that the show got canceled, but looking back on it, the person I am today, I don’t think I would ever want to be on a show like that with bad language and violence. That’s just simply not my style. I enjoying loving on people and being the peacemaker, not starting or looking for trouble.

In 2022-2023, I was selected to appear on CBS Let’s Make A Deal where I filmed 8 episodes and won an all expense trip to Chicago. I also became a voiceover actor and I started doing voiceovers for small businesses and different companies as well.

In spring 2023, I auditioned and partnered with Southwest Airlines as the voice of their Spring 2023 commercial. This commercial was played on HULU and Netflix. You can also find the commercial on YouTube as well.

Today, in 2024, I got cast to my first real deal film. I’m so excited and can’t wait for the world to see my work and what I am bringing to the table in the acting industry. All of this has come from knowing exactly what I wanted, believing in what I always felt, doing my research, making connections, and staying consistent and persistent in the work that I do. There’s no better feeling than accomplishing something you’ve always dreamed and hoped for. I’m so blessed to be where I am today in my career.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think my three qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey were putting my priorities first. I always had an agenda, a daily task list, and I always went by a structure in my everyday life. I wake up, fix my bed, pray meditate, clean, fix a smoothie, workout, and so on. I always maintain a structural mindset because I wanted my everyday to be perfect, and although each day isn’t as perfect as some others, just living my life organized is what helped keep me aligned with my everyday life and long term goals. Also, believing in myself and keeping my Faith in God is a major plus. Instead of having self doubt, I would instead speak life into myself and manifest what I’ve always wanted. When you know you have the gift to do something, you just don’t give up on it no matter what. Thirdly, setting aside my introverted ways definitely helped me gain success by just sucking it up and getting out there anyways to meet new people, network, participate in shows, and going to movie screenings to support film producers and directors. It’s all just a full circle moment that I’m literally experiencing and I have to say it’s all so worth it in the end doing what I love because it truly makes me happy. My advice to give to others is to never stop believing in yourself. You will have moments when you will have self doubt, and think you’re getting too old, or don’t have all the skills you need to be successful, but when put your mind, heart, and soul into it, anything is possible. Also, you gotta make sure you’re putting you first when it’s time to put you first. Let go of anything or anyone that is hindering you in any kind of way to move forward with your career and passions. You are beautiful and amazing and you’ve got this! Lastly, always, always remember to keep God first in all that you do.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes! I am always looking for more people to collaborate and work with. I think it’s so important to meet as many people as you can in the entertainment and acting industry because you gain better opportunities to get cast to do more work. You just never know who knows who. Always be kind, and gracious to everyone and be confident no matter what! I would absolutely love to work with the amazing Tyler Perry someday. He is inspires me so much. His life story from him being homeless to where he is today truly moved me. I’m just so proud of him and I hope that one day he will see me and give me an opportunity to work with him. Only time will tell. What’s meant to be will be and what’s for me won’t pass me up.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejdeshon
• Facebook: Jacory Deshon
• Youtube: VUSXJD

Image Credits

VUSXJD (Variable Unknown Studio’s) All images credits by Jacory Deshon