Cassie Steele
Cassie Steele knows how to turn heads as Manny Santos on Degrassi: The Next Generation. Viewers have seen her grow up through the years on the hit Canadian series, with story lines that continue to push the envelope. So what could possibly be in store for Manny, the infamous trouble maker this season? Cassie knows, but is she telling?
Photo Credit: The N
The Star Scoop:
How did you end up with the role of Manny?
Cassie Steele:
Well, I did the audition when I was eleven. It was one of the first few things I had ever auditioned for television. I went to the first audition, and the first audition that I went for, I went for Liberty. The second I went for was Manny, and she was an Indian girl. Then the third audition, was a screening, and I screened with Miriam McDonald for Manny and Liberty. I ended up getting Manny, so, that's that story. I guess I was just best fit for Miriam, and best fit for the role.
The Star Scoop:
Manny is one of the most popular characters, but also the one we love to hate. Why?
Steele:
Manny is the girl, it's not to say that she's not a good person, but she is, she is always caught up in the A list type things. She does the silly things at parties, she's popular, she's a cheerleader, and she makes mistakes. She steals boyfriends away, she's the girl that everybody wants to be but, everyone pretty much except for her friends, they're enemies, so it kind of works out like that; it's fun to play (laughs).
The Star Scoop:
Can you share any details about what’s coming up for Manny for this season?
Steele:
All I can say is that about the season coming up, is that it's the most exciting. I think the characters are growing, and so are we, so issues are more intense, and I think everybody will enjoy it.
The Star Scoop:
You actually play a character your age. How has your life been different from Manny’s? How has it been similar?
Steele:
Yes, it's true, I'm the only one who plays the same age as my character. Our lives, mine from Manny's are completely different. Growing up on a TV show, I never went to a real high school, I've always done correspondence. I went to two different high schools in one year. Manny's life is very simple, she's a cheerleader, she does homework, and although she went through an abortion, had a serious boyfriend, I've always been too busy to have a boyfriend, just because of television and music wise. But, personality, I think there [are] a lot of similarities between us. We're both very bubbly and optimistic, and of course some of my traits would go into my character because I play her. I think we're both really loyal friends, and that's what I like about Manny.
The Star Scoop:
Manny has had a lot of experiences that are embarrassing on their own, yet you have to film these in front of so many people. Are you ever embarrassed or nervous over some of the story lines?
Steele:
(laughs) Well, I mean, of course you're prepared for them. A lot of the people who have worked on set, the majority of them have been there the previous years, and I don't think embarrasing things started happening to Manny until she went into grade nine, season three in the episode "You've Got The Look." But it's fine. You have the background, it's usually the same kids, and they're all really nice, and we all hang out. The crew and directors are all familiar, so it's really just a bunch of your friends, and it's a job, so people understand.
The Star Scoop:
How does being part of an ensemble cast keep you grounded? Does it make you want to go after more starring roles?
Steele
Being on an ensemble cast, yes I do think, now that I think of it, it does keep you grounded. Not just because you have to share the spotlight, but because they're your friends. And you grow up, and you understand this job, and you can't get too big of a head. It's really nice having an ensemble cast. But, yes, I know all of us are striving to do bigger and better things. There's always room for improvement, you know, you don't want to stay in the same boat your whole life. I would like to, you know, kind of spread my wings, and maybe do a different series, or do some movies. I'd really like to get into film.
The Star Scoop:
Degrassi has such a huge following, what has it been like over the years meeting your fans?
Steele:
It's been a fantastic experience. Over the years, I've grown more used to the fact that I get recognized more and more, and that Miriam and I get recognized more and more, the whole cast pretty much. At first it was hard to kind of process being stopped in the mall. We just did a tour, we went to New York for the first episode screening, and the fans there, it was overwhelming. I know we were all really emotional about it. It's been a good experience I think, we try to stay grounded.
The Star Scoop:
Degrassi is part of a 25 year experience with the entire show. Before you came on, had you ever seen the original episodes, or have you seen them since?
Steele:
I believe that when I was cast for Degrassi, they gave a few episodes out, but before that I was doing music, and I was also a competitive gymnast, so I never really watched TV per se, I mean, of course I went out and saw movies when I could. I had to ask for tapes just so I knew what it was about, you know what I was getting into, which has obviously turned out something great. The original series is fantastic.
The Star Scoop:
Has being part of Degrassi changed your life for the better, would you say?
Steele:
Definitely. The relationships that I've made on the show with the cast are some that people never find. I mean, when you're in high school, you have so many friends that come and go, and I've known these people on the cast of Degrassi for six years. Some of them I've known longer than some of my best friends that I've had friendships with through correspondence or school or any activities that I do. It's a great experience like that. I mean, the crew and working, and the professionalism I've kind of developed, and how to work with people: the director, the producers, and how to publicly speak. The experiences through personal levels and also professional levels are incredible.
The Star Scoop:
In terms of your longtime future, where would you like to see yourself?
Steele:
I would like to see myself probably pursuing my music, and my acting. I'd also like to branch out and maybe direct or produce one day. Right now I'm just working on my music. Hopefully I'll get to touring next year, and maybe throw a film in there, something like that.
The Star Scoop:
Speaking of your music, do you have a CD out?
Johnston:
I do, I write all my own music, and I have a CD out. It's independent, and it's more of like a rock type music, harder rock, but yeah, I have an album out, and I'm just writing my second one now, which will be out next year in March.
The Star Scoop:
Where can fans get your album?
Steele:
Well, here in Canada, I know it's sold at HMV. I'm not sure at in the states. You could buy it online, but since I'm an independent artist, and it's a lot of Indie rock, I think we're just putting in a new order. But you can get it off my website, cassiesteele.com
The Star Scoop:
Is there anything else you want to add about yourself, or something we didn't cover, something you'd like to mention or get out there?
Steele:
Yes, actually, right now, I'm doing a Bratz dolls Crazy Karaoke tour across Canada. My next appearance will be in Montreal for thanksgiving weekend and fashion week. And I just want to talk a little bit about that. Also, I go to different cities around Canada, and it's also sponsored by SickKids, and I go, and I go to the hospitals and I meet the sick kids, and I sing for them, and we give our presents, and T-shirts, and my CDs, and whatever they want, and we have a good time. I'm really involved with that, and helping them out and just making them smile. But also, I do mall tours as well, where kids can come and audition and they can win a prize. Now this is only in Canada. It's not really in the states, I know there's a much bigger one that's going to be for the states. Yeah, I just want to put that out there, I mean, SickKids is a big deal to me. [For more information on SickKids, visit: www.sickkids.ca]
The Star Scoop:
So lastly, with all this going on, do you find it hard to just be a normal teenager?
Steele:
Definitely, I mean, not only the fact that I don't go to high school, so I can't really make friends through school, and whatnot like that. Also, the cast is a lot older than me. So when I hang out with Miriam, or Shane, or Aubrey, or any of those guys, I've grown up with people just a couple years older than me, and it's really hard, I'd say, growing up in this kind of industry, because you do work with a lot of adults. And, just being so busy, when I go out now, it's not like a normal teenager would. When you do go out, and I mean, I hardly ever do. I'm really involved with my family and staying here. But, it's different, it's very different.