Valentino is a Ugandan Latin and ballroom dancer, actor, choreographer and Creative Director.
He started off as an actor and featured in
several successful TV drama series including: Don't Mess with
Kansime, Citizen TV Kenya (2015) and Power of legacy - NTV Uganda.
Valentino's breakthrough into the dance world
was in Rema's 'Touch My Body' music video (2018). From then he is continually
changing the face of the Ugandan dance industry with his electrifying Latin and
ballroom dance moves, gracing many performance stages including; the annual
Hipipo Music Awards, Digital Impact Awards, opening all the Bride and Groom
Expo shows 2022, among others.
In January 2020, Valentino made another huge
debut by choreographing, dancing and playing the powerful role of Winnie
Nwagi's love interest in her Jangu music video that is rated one of the best
videos of 2020, making a huge number plays on local and international TV
stations such as Trace, MTV Base and scooping millions of views on
YouTube. All this has culminated in hosting his own reality dance TV show
'Dance with Valentino', on which he is also the Co-Executive Producer.
Early in 2021 Valentino travelled to South
Africa to attend his first professional dance training in Latin dance with Kim
Lee Isaacs, South Africa’s leading competitive dance coach, having mentored and
coached National and International Champions including Strictly Come Dancing’s
pro, Cameron Lombard.
His passion for the growth of Latin dancing
in Uganda inspired him to launch and establish the first childrens’ Latin dance
classes, and he is finding innovative ways of showcasing all of his students’
progress. Valentino continues to develop his presence and brand through
choreographing, directing and coaching as well as performing at concerts,
weddings, corporate functions etc.
Later that year Valentino had the opportunity
to join Oti Mabuse Dance Studio in London, UK where he goes to further his own training
and be mentored by Marius Iepure.
In November 2022, Valentino was invited by
the England DanceSport Federation to represent the Uganda DanceSport Federation
at the Inaugural London Dance Nights event and be on the panel of judges at the
London Open 2022 competitions.
Valentino renders his love for society by
being part of charity organisations such as;
- The
Unseen Dreams Dance and Arts festival where he teaches dance to differently
abled people, and choreographs and performs in this annual festival.
- Uganda
Youth and Adolescents Health Forum where he is the cultural Icon for the
She Decides movement which fights for the rights of girls and women in
Uganda.
"I give all the glory and honour back to
God for all His blessings on my life and I am here to fulfil my purpose on
earth as His Will unfolds."