Cassie Ventura, professionally known simply as Cassie, is an American singer, dancer, actress, and model. She was born Casandra Elizabeth Ventura on August 26, 1986, in New London, Connecticut. Cassie began her career as a model, signing with Wilhelmina Models and working for brands like Calvin Klein, Adidas, and Abercrombie & Fitch. She transitioned into music after meeting producer Ryan Leslie in 2004, who signed her to his label. Shortly after, rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs discovered her and signed her to his label Bad Boy Records, where she released her debut single "Me & U" in 2006. The song was a major hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Her self-titled debut album also performed well, peaking at number four on the Billboard 200
. Cassie gained fame for her smooth vocals and minimalist R&B-electro sound, becoming a style icon in the mid-2000s. Besides music, she has acted in films such as "Step Up 2: The Streets" (2008) and "The Perfect Match" (2016)
. In recent years, Cassie has been in the news due to her tumultuous relationship with Sean Combs. She was his on-and-off girlfriend and employee for nearly a decade. In 2023, she filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of abuse, including physical assault and coercion into sexual acts involving male escorts, which he allegedly recorded and used to blackmail her. She is now a key witness in Combs' federal trial on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering
. Beyond her career and legal battles, Cassie advocates for self-love and empowerment following her difficult experiences
. In summary, Cassie Ventura is a multifaceted entertainer known for her early 2000s music success and modeling career, who has recently gained attention as a central figure in high-profile legal proceedings against Sean Combs.
