Columbus Short is a master of career reinvention. The “Scandal” co-star began working in commercials as a teenager, became a choreographer for Britney Spears and then turned actor and landed on the hit ABC political thriller.

His latest plan was to make it in music, starting with a newly released single. Instead, Short, 31, is facing the plight of other troubled performers: Out of his plum TV job as he confronts alleged misbehavior that has overshadowed his success.