Cassie Steele
Cassie Steele is a Canadian actress, singer-songwriter, and voice artist known for Degrassi: The Next Generation, The L.A. Complex, and her musical work. Discover her life, career path, influences, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
Cassie Steele (born December 2, 1989) is a Canadian actress, singer, songwriter, and voice talent whose career has spanned television, music, and voice acting. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Manny Santos on Degrassi: The Next Generation. Over time, she extended her craft into music, voicing animated characters, and exploring creative ventures beyond acting. Her journey reflects both the challenges and the joys of growing from a child actor into a multifaceted artist.
Early Life and Family
Cassie’s full name is Cassandra Rae Steele.
She has mixed heritage: her father’s side is of British/English descent, and her mother’s side is Filipina. Degrassi.
From a young age, Cassie showed musical and performance inclinations. She began combining her own poetry with melodies when she was in first grade, and later took singing lessons.
She even did some gymnastics in her youth.
Career and Achievements
Acting Breakthrough: Degrassi and Television
Cassie’s first on-screen appearance was in 2001, in a commercial for “Fib Finder” and, in the same year, as a young version of Sydney Fox in Relic Hunter.
Also in 2001, at age 11, she began her long-running role as Manny Santos in Degrassi: The Next Generation. She remained on the show for about nine years. Degrassi TV movies: Degrassi Goes Hollywood, Degrassi: Spring Break Movie, and Degrassi Takes Manhattan.
During her time on Degrassi, she also took roles in films and television:
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Full Court Miracle (Disney)
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Super Sweet 16: The Movie
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My Babysitter’s a Vampire
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Recurring roles in The Best Years, Instant Star
In 2012, she starred as Abby Vargas in the Canadian drama The L.A. Complex.
She's also done voice acting work: she provides voices for characters in Rick and Morty (for example Tammy Gueterman and Tricia Lange)
Music & Other Creative Work
Cassie has long been passionate about music. Her debut album, How Much for Happy, was released in 2005. Destructo Doll in 2009.
In August 2019, she co-founded the band Psychocandy with musician Jase Blankfort. Their music is available on streaming platforms like SoundCloud.
She also ventured into product/design work. In 2022, she released a sustainable thong line (inspired by a moment from her Degrassi character) in collaboration with designer Rachael Finley.
Personal Life & Recent Developments
Cassie married American actor Trent Garrett in 2018.
Her first child, a son, was born in November 2023 with partner Favi Martinez.
Themes, Style & Influence
Cassie’s career illustrates the intersection of acting, music, and voice work. She often gravitates to roles or projects that allow her personal expression (via music, songwriting).
Her musical style often leans toward alternative, indie, or darker emotional tones—she has spoke of writing dark stories and poems which she later set to music.
In acting, she has shown versatility—from teen drama (Degrassi) to genre/horror (The Dorm), voice work, and more. Her voice roles in series like Rick and Morty demonstrate she embraces diverse media forms.
She also seems to value authenticity and balance in her public life, often speaking about how much of her life is “on display” and the need to stay grounded.
Notable Quotes by Cassie Steele
Here are several quotes that reflect her voice and perspective:
“I started improvisation at age nine, and I loved it so much I stuck with it. As a by-product, acting was just something I was lucky enough to fall into.” “My dad probably gave me the best advice growing up. I think it’s really just keeping your cool in situations and learning to balance everything.” “You never have an indifferent feeling after an audition. It’s either gone really well or really terribly.” “I feel like my life is pretty much on display. So much of it is working, and that’s really all I want to do. I’m an open book.” “I like my hair long, and I love my bangs. I love them because I can pin them back or keep the fringe with attitude.” “L.A. is such a big city, and there’s so much going on. I mean, you know you’re in L.A. when you can just hear sirens all the time.”
These quotes give glimpses into how she views her craft, her presence, and how she navigates public life.
Lessons from Cassie Steele
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Diversify your craft: Cassie shows how combining acting, music, and voice work can allow an artist to evolve rather than be pigeonholed.
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Stay grounded in self: She often speaks about balance, keeping one’s cool, and handling public scrutiny.
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Embrace visibility and vulnerability: She acknowledges that her life is partly exposed by her work, yet she seems to accept it and keep creating.
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Pursue passion projects: Her music, design ventures, and side collaborations indicate that following what moves you can enrich a career.
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Growth is long-term: From child actor to musician to mother, her path reminds us that creative lives shift with life’s stages.
Conclusion
Cassie Steele is more than her early role on Degrassi. She is a creative constantly evolving—an actress, musician, voice artist, designer, and mother. Her career underscores a willingness to take risks, to expand into new territories, and to maintain authenticity in a public life.