exclusive katie cassidy interview by stephen christopher cover photo by tracey morris

Katie Cassidy is happier now than she’s ever been. With a hit television show, Arrow, a successful blog, tomboykc.com, and a life devoted to giving back through her favorite charity, HELP Malawi, who can argue? STEPHEN CHRISTOPHER chats with the actress from her getaway in St. Barts and finds out how life’s been growing up Cassidy. 

“The first time I found out I was the daughter of someone famous came on a school playground in the third grade,” Katie Cassidy tells me from her hotel room in St. Barts. “I was showing one of my best friends a picture of me and my dad during recess. Her mom, who was the yard-aid, happened to come over just as we were looking at the picture. She was like, ‘Oh my God! This is your dad?’
    I said yes, and she said, ‘Hold on a second, let me borrow this picture.’ So she takes the picture and runs over to the other yard-aids and teachers. Meanwhile, my friend and I don’t have a clue as to what’s going on. So then she comes back and says, ‘Do you know who your dad is? I have pictures of him all over my wall!’ It was so weird—and it’s still bizarre to me. It’s always a strange, surreal thing, but it’s my reality.”
    Hard to believe, but to date, Katie’s yet to catch a full episode of The Partridge Family, the 70s hit television show that propelled her dad, David Cassidy, to worldwide superstardom. It’s David who offered Katie these words of wisdom: ‘Never stop evolving and learning. Continue to go to class and get coaching because you’ll only get better.’ “It’s the best advice I’ve ever gotten because there’s always more to learn, and as an actor you want to be able to change. That’s when you force yourself out of the box—out of the comfort zone—and allow for growth.”
    Currently, the 27-year-old California beauty stars on the CW’s hit show Arrow, where she plays assistant district attorney Laurel Lance. The show is based on superhero characters from comic books and graphic novels published by DC Comics. Since 2009, she’s starred on three other CW series: Supernatural, Melrose Place and Gossip Girl, and one show on CBS, Harper’s Island.
    Along with acting, Katie says her other passion is fashion. She and best friend Lynsey Eaton started tomboyKC.com. “It’s a fashion blog for the modern-day woman—a fusion between masculine and feminine things. It’s about expressing oneself through the creative outlet of fashion. Oh, and our blog is shoppable.”
     When it comes to fashion, Katie, who counts Alexander Wang, Tom Ford, and Helmut Lang as her favorite designers, likes to mix it up. I’ll take a skirt and a baggy tee, and pair them with some pumps or wedges—like those really amazing ones from Phillip Lim.” Or she’ll pair boyfriend jeans with a button-down, or, right now, she’s favoring a pastel pink, structured Alexander Wang corseted piece and his white heel sandals. “That and a clutch…and you’re good to go!”
    Her most embarrassing fashion moment was (what else?) a boob wardrobe malfunction. “I must have been 19 and I borrowed my friend’s dress to go to a red-carpet event. She was fuller in the breast area, so she gave me some cutlets to wear. Well, the next day you could see in the pictures that the cutlet is actually coming out. I was so embarrassed.”
    The optimistic blonde turns serious to share about H.E.L.P (Hope, Educate, Love, Protect) Malawi, the nonprofit that gives school children, most of whom who are HIV positive, the tools and education they need to live a better life. “I’ve been a part of this charity for the past seven years. The lack of water over there is sad; it’s a tragedy. I helped raise money to build a medical center, library and church and spent some time with them to plant a garden. Now they have this garden to eat from. I also designed a few pieces of jewelry on my trip over there that can be purchased on the website helpchildren.org, with 100% of the proceeds going to this foundation.”
    So there she is—riding high on a successful acting career and fashion blog, sitting on a beach in St. Barts…how bad could life be? “I literally keep hashtagging, ‘timeofmylife.’ I’m having so much fun. Surrounding myself with so many great people who give off positive energy. I think right now is the happiest time in my life. I’m doing things I never dreamt of doing. I’m having a blast!”

Photo Team:
Cover photo by Tracey Morris / TraceyMorris.com
Styled by Holly Copeland / HollyCopeland.com
Makeup by Uzo Ukaeje / NARS international lead makeup artist
Hair Stylist: Lea Journo / CrosbyCarterMgmt.com using
Mirroir Glossing Cream and Lumiere Illuminating Moisturizer
Location: Special thanks to Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive