Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Cassata.
Ryan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My career started on Long Island, NY. That’s where I’m from. With a passion for writing and performing music and a drive to help others, I started speaking at schools and performing at venues across Long Island when I was 13. I had just come out as queer and then as transgender. Driven by the isolating feeling of not fitting in and being bullied for it, I wanted to do all that I could to spare others from as much of that same type hurt as I could. By the time I was 15 years old, I had appeared on the Larry King Live Show. At 17, I appeared on Tyra Banks and was being sent outside of New York to educate and perform.
My music career started while I was very young. I played as many open mics as I could, performing my original music, I passed out tons of stickers, I sold demo CD’s that I burned one by one on my computer, I booked my own tours, I played as many shows as possible and I practiced a lot. From the beginning of my career, I put in as much work as I could, and I still continue to do that to this day.
Now I have booked and went on several successful tours. I’ve released records. I have been in documentaries, films, commercials. The most important thing I’ve done though…I’ve helped a lot of people.
My song “Daughter” has amounted over 250,000 streams on Spotify and the music video has over 350,000 on YouTube.
I moved to Los Angeles at the end of 2016. I feel so at home here and love this city more and more each day. My life has changed with moving to Los Angeles. It’s home.
My full bio can be seen here: http://www.ryancassata.com/.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s not been a smooth road but I don’t regret any of it. I’ve been oppressed or turned away for being trans and queer. I’ve had promising opportunities to move up that have been canceled. However, I continue to push forward and work hard. I continue to move forward and advance my career and further spread my message of love and acceptance.
What else should our readers know about you and your career so far?
I’m an award-winning singer-songwriter, actor, performer, writer, model, LGBTQ activist & motivational speaker. I wear many hats and am passionate about many things.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Currently, I’m in the studio recording another record. I’m really excited about this one because I co-wrote the song with my girlfriend and the love really shines on the tracks. We are recording to tape with my band. I plan to tour more this year and next year.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ryancassata.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/ryancassata
- Facebook: facebook.com/ryancassata
- Twitter: twitter.com/ROCassataMusic
- Other: youtube.com/ryancassata
Image Credit:
The graffiti photo is by Dory Fine
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