Cassie Ventura, known simply as Cassie, is an American R&B singer, model, actress, and dancer best known for her 2006 hit single “Me & U.” Born on August 26, 1986, in New London, Connecticut, she rose to fame as a teenager and became a style icon while working with Bad Boy Records. In 2025, she testified in a high-profile federal trial against her former partner Sean “Diddy” Combs, detailing allegations of abuse during their decade-long relationship.
Who Is Cassie Ventura?
Casandra Elizabeth Ventura, born August 26, 1986, is an American singer, dancer, actress, and model who performs under the mononym Cassie. She began her musical career after meeting producer Ryan Leslie in late 2004, who signed her to his record label, NextSelection Lifestyle Group, before being discovered by rapper Sean Combs.
Her debut single “Me & U” peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 for four consecutive weeks in 2006 and sold over 1 million digital downloads, launching her into mainstream success at just 19 years old.
Beyond music, Cassie built a successful modeling career and became recognized as a fashion trendsetter. She is of mixed heritage—her mother is of African-American, Mexican and West Indian descent, while her father is Filipino.
Cassie’s Rise to Fame: The “Me & U” Era
Early Life and Modeling Career
Cassie attended The Williams School, a preparatory school in Connecticut, where she took vocal lessons, modern ballet, and participated in the performing arts program. At age 14, she began modeling, and by 16 was working for Delia’s fashion catalog and Seventeen magazine.
After graduating high school in 2004, she moved to New York City to pursue modeling and attended classes at the Broadway Dance Center. She signed with Wilhelmina Models and began booking commercial gigs.
Musical Breakthrough
Producer Ryan Leslie discovered Cassie at clubs and parties in late 2004, and they recorded a duet called “Kiss Me” as a birthday gift for her mother in February 2005. After music executive Tommy Mottola heard the track, he offered Cassie a management deal, and Leslie signed her to his NextSelection Lifestyle Group.
Leslie wrote and produced “Me & U” in 2005, and after setting up a MySpace page, the song went viral. Diddy heard “Me & U” in a club and partnered his Bad Boy Records with Leslie’s NextSelection imprint to release Cassie’s debut album.
Chart Success and Critical Reception
“Me & U” became Cassie’s most popular single, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America on December 14, 2006. The song topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and achieved international success in the UK, France, New Zealand, and Australia.
Rolling Stone later described her self-titled debut album as “the most brilliantly minimalist R&B album of its era.” The album debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 100,374 copies.
Cassie’s Music Career Evolution
Debut Album and Initial Success
Released on August 8, 2006, “Cassie” is primarily an R&B album with elements of pop, hip hop, electro and soul music. The album sold 321,000 copies in the United States and featured the follow-up single “Long Way 2 Go.”
Cassie described her sound as incorporating rap, R&B, slow songs, and even paid tribute to her Filipino culture by incorporating OPM (Original Pilipino Music) sounds into some ballads.
Later Releases and Musical Style
From 2008-2009, Cassie released several singles including “Official Girl” featuring Lil Wayne, “Must Be Love” featuring Diddy, and “Let’s Get Crazy” featuring Akon, though none achieved the commercial success of “Me & U.”
In 2013, she released the mixtape “RockaByeBaby” to positive reception and critical acclaim, which was named the best mixtape of the year by Dazed & Confused magazine. The project featured collaborations with Rick Ross and Wiz Khalifa.
Cassie cites Aaliyah, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, and Janet Jackson as major influences, calling herself “a die-hard Janet Jackson fan.”
Cassie as a Fashion Icon and Model
Modeling Career Highlights
Cassie signed with Wilhelmina Models early in her career and later with One Management. She has modeled for Calvin Klein and been featured in magazines including GQ, Seventeen, and Bust.
She was the face of ASOS’s 2013 spring collection and has starred in advertising campaigns for Delia’s, Adidas, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Clean & Clear.
Style Influence
Cassie is considered a style icon due to her “edgy style” and “feminine” and “sophisticated” fashion. She gained particular attention in 2009 when she shaved her head, inspiring a trend among women and celebrities.
Acting Career
Cassie made her acting debut in 2008 as Sophie Donovan in the dance film “Step Up 2: The Streets,” where she also sang the lead single “Is It You” for the soundtrack.
She appeared in the 2016 romantic comedy “The Perfect Match” and has made guest appearances on several episodes of “Empire.”
Personal Life: Family and Marriage
Cassie married personal trainer Alex Fine in August 2019. The couple have two daughters, born in December 2019 and March 2021, and a son born in May 2025.
She announced her third pregnancy in February 2025 and gave birth to a son on May 27, 2025.
2023-2025: Legal Proceedings and Testimony
Lawsuit Against Sean Combs
Cassie was in a long-term relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs from 2007 to 2018. On November 16, 2023, she filed a lawsuit against Combs alleging that he subjected her to a decade-long “cycle of abuse, violence and sex trafficking.”
The lawsuit was settled one day after filing, though terms were not initially disclosed. During May 2025 court testimony, Cassie revealed she received a $20 million settlement from Diddy.
2025 Trial Testimony
On May 12, 2025, Ventura began testifying in the federal sex-trafficking, racketeering and prostitution case against Combs. She gave birth to her third child two weeks after serving as a key witness for the prosecution.
In July 2025, Combs was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution following an eight-week federal trial, though he was acquitted of other charges including sex trafficking.
Cassie’s Current Status and Future
In August 2025, Cassie returned to social media for the first time since testifying and giving birth, sharing that she was slowly returning to her “old self” postpartum.
In July 2025, singer Kesha revealed that Cassie sent her flowers before a concert, showing support between artists who have faced similar challenges.
FAQs
What is Cassie’s most famous song?
“Me & U” is Cassie’s most successful single, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2006 and becoming a platinum-certified hit that defined mid-2000s R&B.
What is Cassie’s ethnic background?
Cassie’s mother is of African-American, Mexican and West Indian descent, while her father is Filipino.
Is Cassie still making music?
After leaving Bad Boy Records in 2019, Cassie released several independent singles through her own label, Ventura Music, as part of her “Free Fridays” series. She has focused primarily on family life since 2019.
How many children does Cassie have?
Cassie has three children with husband Alex Fine—two daughters and a son.
What happened between Cassie and Diddy?
Their relationship ended in 2018, and in 2023, Cassie filed a lawsuit alleging abuse and trafficking during their decade-long relationship. The case was settled within 24 hours.
What is Cassie doing now?
Cassie is focused on her family with husband Alex Fine and their three children. She returned to social media in August 2025 after testifying in federal court and giving birth to her third child.
Key Takeaways
Cassie Ventura’s career trajectory showcases both remarkable early success and personal resilience. From a teenage modeling career to R&B stardom with “Me & U,” she became a cultural icon of the mid-2000s. Her work in fashion, film, and music demonstrated versatility, though her career was impacted by her relationship with Sean Combs.
In 2025, after years of maintaining privacy about her experiences, Cassie’s testimony in federal court brought international attention to allegations of abuse. Now focused on her family and personal healing, she represents both the complexities of fame and the courage required to speak truth to power.
Her musical legacy, particularly “Me & U,” remains influential in R&B and pop music, while her fashion sense continues to inspire. As she navigates this new chapter with her husband and three children, Cassie’s story reminds us that resilience and reinvention are possible even after profound challenges.
