Who will walk the runway during New York Fashion Week and win $20,000? You decide.
Cassiah
Must finish first in their group to advance to the Quarterfinals.
The next 2 highest ranked competitors will advance to a Wildcard round.
Voting for this round ends on August 15, 2026 at 9:00 PM EDT
About Cassiah
I’m a stay at home mom of 2 under 3, battling chronic illness, planning her dream wedding and navigating OCD. I spent a lot of time not truly focusing on myself and putting others first, and am now trying to get my pink back.
Learn More About Cassiah
What makes you the Next Runway Star?
As someone who’s been performing the majority of life, I’ve always loved fashion of it. In school I was the one who made the hallway a runway, even if others judged me for doing so. I wore heels everyday and made every outfit a statement. As time went on I tried to keep my love for fashion and style, but life happened. I met the love of my life, changed career paths, had major health changes and brought two wonderful children into the world. Somehow along the way I lost myself. I prioritized ease instead of joy. I was focusing on survival. The past few months I’ve been trying my hardest to rediscover my style, love for fashion, and self care utilizing what I have at home. Just because I’m a stay at home mom and am battling chronic illness doesn’t mean that I can’t embrace my style and have fun with it. And just maybe if I share my story and my ideas, I might make others like me a little more comfortable to have fun with their everyday clothes and feel more confident.
What would this once in a lifetime experience mean to you and why?
This would mean more than anyone could know. I’ve spent the last few years having to put my actual wants behind to take care of my health, my family, and my kids. I truly don’t do things for myself very often. I feel like this opportunity would allow me to do something solely because I want it. Not only that, but if I was able to do this, I could show other mamas and other people struggling with chronic illness that we can do it. We can have fun with fashion, we can have experiences that are our own.
What are you most proud of about yourself or what have you overcome and why?
I have struggled with body dysmorphia and anxiety for a long time. When I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and fibromyalgia, the treatments caused my body to change significantly in a short amount of time. My body changed even more after having my children, delivering both via urgent c-sections. I didn’t enjoy getting dressed. I had little confidence. Over the past year I’ve worked hard trying to overcome those struggles. My body has been through trauma. It has overcome illness. It has brought two beautiful children into the world. My stretch marks and scars are trophies from the life I am living. I am strong. I am beautiful. I’m worth it. Don’t get me wrong I know that I still have a lot to overcome and it will take years to retrain my brain. But I will continue to get better because I want to be a role model for my kids. I want them to be confident in themselves. I want them to see their mom happy and confident.
What would you do with the $20,000 cash prize?
This prize would be life changing for my family. We’ve had an interesting couple of years. It would allow us to make the cost of everyday life easier. We also are getting married next spring and this would allow us to have the wedding of our dreams.
Content from Cassiah
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Rise is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that helps sexual assault survivors across the country and around the world. They’ve created the most successful legislative reform movement in U.S. history: 120 laws passed, 1 UN Resolution and 112 million people’s lives impacted by their efforts.
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