Cassie Ventura

Casandra Elizabeth Ventura, known professionally as Cassie, is an American singer, model, dancer, and actress. Born in New London, Connecticut, she began modeling at age fourteen and moved to New York City after high school to pursue modeling and dance instruction. She was represented early in her career by Wilhelmina Models and One Management, booking print and commercial advertising for brands such as Delia's, Adidas, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Clean & Clear, as well as editorial appearances in magazines including GQ and Seventeen.

In 2004, Ventura was introduced to record producer Ryan Leslie, who signed her to NextSelection Lifestyle Group. Her debut single, Me & U, released in 2006 in partnership with Bad Boy Records, became a commercial success, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her self-titled debut studio album, Cassie, was released later that year and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200. She followed with singles including Long Way 2 Go, Official Girl, Must Be Love, and Let's Get Crazy, before signing with Interscope Records to release her debut mixtape, RockaByeBaby, in 2013.

Ventura expanded into acting with her feature film debut in the 2008 dance film Step Up 2: The Streets, for which she also contributed the single Is It You to the soundtrack. She went on to secure leading roles in the romantic comedy film The Perfect Match and the dance film Honey 3: Dare to Dance in 2016. Alongside her screen work, she continued modeling, serving as the face of fashion retailer ASOS's 2013 spring collection and participating in campaigns for brands like Calvin Klein.

Over the course of her career, Ventura has released indie pop and R&B music while maintaining involvement in fashion and media projects. She remains active in the public sphere through various commercial engagements and artistic endeavors.