Meet Cassi Kombat | Visual Arts / Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassi Kombat and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassi, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I choose to pursue an artistic / creative career because growing up I was a student athlete who never really embraced my femininity. I was such a tom boy growing up and always so slim I never understood the power that came with being a black woman who saw beauty within herself and embraced it until I started modeling independently. I never thought I was pretty and compared to most girls and their body types I felt I wasn’t as pretty as those around me. Modeling helped me find confidence, it helped me see the beauty I had inside and out that I never could see growing up. Modeling allows me to transform into who ever I want to be at any given moment and make it art / fashion.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started modeling in 2017 and I had no idea what I was doing nor was I a fan of social media after spending so many years off the grid cause I simply just didn’t care for it. I preferred living in the moment. With modeling I knew that if I wanted to make something out of this Modeling career I needed to get myself out there. The more peoples attention I could get the better my chances for bookings and just recognition I general. The goal was to be everywhere I could possibly be seen wether it be a big platform or a small one, it was an opportunity to be seen and all it takes was one person to notice you to change your life. so I made my IG account, I reached out to small agencies to have website created under their platform exposing my work. Simply did what ever it took to put my name out there. I’ve done a lot of creative things that brought my name to light and out of many mouths. It wasn’t easy at all, because you never really know who really supports you doing things like this and who is for you or jealous. its just what comes with the industry. When you seem me you may think ” wow now thats the IT factor ” when it comes to the model world, but there has been many occasions where my size and look wasn’t good enough to make the cut. this is a cut throat industry and there is always someone prettier or better, that is why I work on versatility. Versatility gives you an advantage over those who may be more of the IT factor than you are. If you can make something out of anything and tell a story with no words just a pose or style there is no competition.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
if I had a friend visiting NY I would show them a great time ! Im a true gemini haha so one thing I know how to do is have fun and keep things interesting as we are naturally outgoing people. Id first start off with a food date cause I’m a huge foodie to Cuts and Slices which is one of the best pizza shots in NYC ever !!! Next we would probably do something cute like a bike ride through Manhattan or maybe even a cute picnic at Dumbo Park, and last of course we party to end the night as NYC is known for having one of the hottest clubs.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Id love to give a big shout out to 24OURS ( IG: @24Ours) I even have it tatted on me as do the members of this movement, Because without this platform that serves as a playground for creatives in the physical and digital world at the intersection of culture and community, modeling would not be something that even crossed my mind. The members of this movement have been apart of my life for over a decade. A group of kids not even realizing the movement that was being developed so young led by CEO Goldie Harrison. Taking pictures was something I always avoided hence why my friends barely have anything with me in it in HS haha, but once I was surrounded by the members of 24OURS, creating memories, doing things people our age wouldn’t have the courage to do, it helped build character and confidence that if those around me have the same time in a day as me and can do what ever they put their minds too why can’t I ? Who defines beauty ? So I went for it and shocked many who know me personally with deciding to Model and present my own definition of beauty as im sure there are many girls out there with body types like me, tom boys just like me that don’t truly embrace or understand the beauty they possess. My friends who were photographers, videographers, and members of 24OURS is what got me here and I will forever be thankful. 24OURS and everyone in it will forever be where and how it all started for me.

Instagram: @cassikombat

Image Credits
Photographer : Terrence Hamilton / @riversidenyc3 / #HamiltonFineArt MUA: Diana Rodriguez / @dianaaaa_r @freefacesmua