Where am I REALLY from? Here’s where…

Growing up, there were so many things about my ethnicity that made me feel ashamed.

The fact that my parents had an accent.

The fact that my lunch looked and smelled different than my classmates.

The fact that I spoke a different language at home.

All of these things made me feel like an other, an outsider, when all I wanted was to do was blend in with the “real”, “American” kids who could afford to eat lunchables for lunch.

But one of the things I hated most about myself was my last name:

Ho.

It was 6th grade. I remember the snickering in the locker room. Girls talking about my weight. Taunting me about the unshaved hair on my legs and arms. Then the multiple times the popular girls would walk up to me asking me why I was “such a hoe.” TBH, I was so innocent then that I didn’t even understand why they were comparing me to a garden tool.

It wasn’t until my parents moved our family to Union City, CA that everything changed. I remember walking into my first assembly and having a complete culture shock. Everyone had dark hair and dark eyes. They looked like me, talked like me, ate like me, and I didn’t feel like I had to explain anything. It was in high school that I finally allowed myself to embrace my Vietnamese and Chinese cultures, instead of rejecting them.

Today, I carry so much pride behind my name because I’ve fought so hard for myself. I feel bad for ever feeling ashamed of my roots. My parents escaped a war torn country in the 70s to give me and my sister an opportunity to succeed, and I wouldn’t be where I am, literally living out my dreams, without their sacrifices.

Although I wish you all a happy Lunar New Year, I’m sad that the the year had to start off the way it did. Last night, a mass shooting in Monterey Park - a predominantly Chinese neighborhood. 10 dead. 10 injured. On what’s supposed to be the happiest celebration of the year for our community. Please stay safe and tell your loved ones you love them.

Chuc Mung Nam Moi 🧧
Gung Hay Fat Choi 🎊

♥️Cassey

[anubhavff]

Girl you need to know that you're killing in that red dress

[Sunflower-dqse]

She is the definition of natural beauty

[JesusChrist-dvzu]

the picture of your family! oh my god!! you guys are so freaking cute. every single one of you. such a sweet photo. thank you for sharing these things with us <3

[readabout]

As a part Chinese, Vietnameses and American this absolutely made my day ☺️✨💗💗💗

[preciouspassionfruit]

Love you, Cassey! Thanks for inspiring and empowering us as Asian Americans/Canadians!

[noellem]

Makes me think of someone I used to babysit for. Someone yelled at her to go back to China. Her daughter, without missing a beat, yelled she wasn't from China she was from LA

[sxrene_chan]

She is slaying that Ao Dai! 💃❤
I am half Vietnamese🇻🇳!
Edit: I made a typo thx for correcting me

[christine]

This is a true American story. No matter where you come from, you work hard and make yourself better day by day, learning from where you came from and growing from it. 😁 Proud of Cassy for all the hard work!!

[Izzyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

I had a conversation abt this the other day. We was talking abt how people are asked where they are REALLY from even if they were born in the country they live in and have different ethnicity. It's the strange way our society asks where someone's ancestors are from.

Edit: Guys it wasn't actually me who got asked, I had a conversation about people getting asked that question. Instead of people getting asked what their ethnicity is, sometimes they get asked where they are REALLY from, and some people can find that offensive if they have lived in that country since they were a small child or their whole life.

[SarahC-lbux]

Love your ao dai!! I am white but will be wearing one for my wedding (marrying a Vietnamese guy) and it’s so beautiful!!

[YeonjunmaterialGwOrL]

I remember when I was younger my first video was u doing a workout w/ ur sister! It’s so nice to see how much u guys have grown!

[kingsponge]

"Where are you really from" is such a disrespectful ass way to ask about someone's heritage. Just ask what their ethnicity or heritage is, it's much nicer and gets you the same answer.

[cass_drawzzz]

Your part Vietnamese I never knew that ❤️ chúc mừng năm mới!

[KayPeeVee]

as a vietnamese american, you're like a breath of fresh air within the fitness community. your hard work and passion for what you do will never stop inspiring people like me ❤️

[vikaspanwar]

GIRLIE YOUR STYLE IS SO BOMB LIKE U SHOULD BE IN PARIS RIGHT THIS INSTANT OMG 😲 😍 💖

[vivionyoutube]

im so glad you are also vietnamese! its kind of sad that your parents didnt support u on your carrer! but its ok because we are here for you!!

[SirenMeow]

The first dress you are wearing is so freaking beautiful!!! And much respect to you and your parents 💕

[genasseeceline]

Love this! I love that you’ve taken the hurt & difficulty from growing up & kept the positive as much as possible! ❤️

[Ricciisgod]

Loving you more and more as i follow you! My husbands family has the same origin story! I'm finally going to Vietnam this Winter, I'm so excited! So glad I found you and I cannot wait to get my goodies in the mail 😊

[aprilm]

Look how far you've you be an inspiration to many..and solve problems that need solving. Clothes are amazing 👏