Cassie is a former World's Miss Tourism Beauty international titleholder. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Acting from Illinois State University in December 2017. Since graduating, Cassie has stayed active with her acting and modeling career having appeared in a national commercial for Sear's and walking in New York Fashion Week along with modeling at Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas Marts. Cassie was recently published in the first plus size model edition of Lyun Magazine. She enjoys teaching runway classes through her organization Cassie’s Catwalk that raises funds for the Association for Size Diversity and Health.
What do you do and why do you do it?
•I currently work as a plus-size model, actress, and talent manager assistant for Everything Formals Model Management. I studied acting at Illinois State University because acting has always been a passion of mine. Through acting, other doors opened for me and modeling fell into my lap! I love all things entertainment and fashion so I am very grateful to follow to my passions professionally.
How does what you do benefit others?
I am very outspoken when it comes to size inclusivity and body positivity. Every time I book an acting job or a modeling job, people with more diverse body types are represented. When we feel represented, we find happiness in knowing that we are seen and appreciated. Industries are changing and we are seeing people of more diverse sizes prove that they are worthy and capable to be great leaders, actors, models, etc and I love that I can be one of those curvy girls who shows that your size doesn’t make you invalid or any less capable than someone of a smaller size!
Describe your career journey and how it led you to where you are now.
I had been acting my entire life in plays and musicals so when it was time for me to pick a major in college, the choice was easy. While attending Illinois State for Acting, I noticed I was struggling with confidence when walking into the audition room. Then one day I saw a flyer for a pageant in my area in decided to enter it! I figured if pageant girls can walk on stage and essentially say “judge me” that I needed to learn how to do that while auditioning! After getting a few pageants under my belt, evening gown designer Mac Duggal did a plus-size modeling competition that I entered. I made it into the Top 11 and ever since then I got picked up by agencies and have had steady work!
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I see myself continuing to do exactly what I’m doing right now! The acting, modeling, and agency work are all dream jobs for me!
If you could have one superpower to help you further your purpose, what would it be and why? How would you use it?
I wish my eyes could shoot out a confidence booster ray! It hurts my heart to see so many people struggle with confidence that I wish I could just give them some immediately!