Alves started to skate because his sister Kayla (two years older) was skating and he was also inspired by watching Kurt Browning performing in shows. Alves admires Browning for his jumping ability. Alves was acting and modelling from age 11 to 14 and appeared in commercials and a pilot program, but now put these activities on hold in order to focus on skating. Alves' mother is from Brazil, his father is from Portugal. He is the first man to represent Brazil an ISU Championship (2008 Four Continents Championships).