Cassie Ventura

Did you know?!

1. Big break

   After "Me & U" turned into a club hit in Germany, Sean Combs came across the track in a club, and Leslie talked him into joining his Bad Boy Records with Leslie's NextSelection imprint to put out Ventura's debut album.

2. 

   First role

   Ventura's first acting role came in 2008, playing Sophie Donovan in the dance film Step Up 2: The Streets. On the Step Up soundtrack, she performed the lead single "Is It You."

3. Early training

   Producer Rockwilder encouraged Ventura to take vocal lessons and study modern ballet, and she used her school's performing arts program. She graduated high school in 2004, then moved to New York City and enrolled at the Broadway Dance Center.

4. A first

   Ventura shaved her head in 2009, a punk-inspired look, and is credited with starting the trend of women shaving their hair.