Cassie
Photo: David Aguilera/BuzzFoto/FilmMagic

Cassie finally broke her silence about the nude pictures of her that leaked online last month, telling a Los Angeles radio host she has a "closer idea of who did it."

The singer told KIIS-FM's JoJo on the Radio over the weekend that the leak is being "somewhat investigated," although she admitted she isn't supposed to say much about the situation. Cassie claims her e-mail was hacked into, and along with the pictures, music of hers was also leaked.

The Diddy protégé said the nude images were more than a year old and she doesn't even have copies of them herself.

"I took the pictures and sent them," Cassie said, acknowledging the authenticity of the pictures. "I don't even have them anymore, that's the crazy part about it."

Cassie said the images were for a significant other, whose identity she didn't reveal. At the time of the leak, the singer spoke out via Twitter. She attempted to downplay the situation in her only comment.

"It seems that someone has hacked into my computer," she Tweeted. "That's real foul and evil. Now stop acting like you haven't seen a t---y before."

Since then, however, she's made no further comment on the images, nor has her label released a statement. Diddy did pass Cassie a message via Twitter at the time, linking to a video for Elton John's "I'm Still Standing."

The singer said she was unsure if she would pursue matters any further at this point. She said the images came out and "there's nothing you can do about it."

She did joke, however, that if she caught the guilty party, she might take matters into her own hands.

"I might go out and torture somebody," she said, laughing.

• Cassie

Cassie
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

The past week brought yet another reminder that whether you're a world-famous celebrity like Cassie or Vanessa Hudgens or an unknown teen from Anywhere, USA, the leaking of private nude photos often has the same chilling effects: embarrassment and regret that images you thought would remain private are suddenly available to for the world to see.

Cassie has admitted that the nude images of her that leaked last week were stolen from her computer and that they were "obviously never intended for the world to see." She said it was "sad" that someone would take the time to steal the images and post them and called the perpetrators "just evil."

Rihanna's spokespeople didn't respond to requests for comment about whether the images that leaked on Friday were, in fact, private shots of the singer. But for experts dealing with a rash of "sexting" cases involving teens and middle-schoolers, the news of the reported leak is another troubling sign.

"The commonsense response is that anyone who thinks popular culture is not helping to shape the social script for teens just isn't paying attention," said Bill Albert, a spokesman for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. "It's not the only thing, of course, but what's happening in celebrity culture and what's happening amongst their peers has a great influence on teens."

Albert cautioned against the knee-jerk reaction that whatever is happening with the Britneys or Lindsays of the world is to blame for the woes of youth culture. But he noted that in recent surveys, it appears that teens are paying attention to the tabloid exploits of their favorite stars. One of the organization's recent studies concluded that one in five teens — and even more young adults — admitted to sending or posting nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves.

"You have to believe that what is happening in celebrity culture has played some role in making that behavior seemingly OK," Albert said. He also noted that even as our society has increasingly gotten more sexualized, the teen birth rate is down by one-third and the teen pregnancy rate is down 38 percent.

While blaming technology for sexting is like blaming cars for drunk driving, Albert said, there is no doubt that the prevalence of cell phones and computers has made it possible for once-private images to become globally accessible. "The technology allows it to happen, but the decisions of young people are driving this," he said, adding that teens they spoke to in the survey said that sexting often leads to real-world hookups. "It's the responsibility of young people to say, 'Am I going to take this picture and am I going to press send?' "

Aside from the possible embarrassment, in some cases, students are facing very real-world legal consequences for sexting, which some legislators and parents see as a form of harassment. In Pennsylvania, a group of high-schoolers narrowly avoided getting hit with child-pornography charges for some photos they took of themselves that were widely distributed. And in Ohio, lawmakers are trying to pass legislation that would make it a misdemeanor for minors to send naked images over their phones. The move comes in the wake of the June suicide of an 18-year-old girl, whose death was spurred, in part, by the harassment and taunting she endured at her school after nude photos she texted to her boyfriend were distributed.

Head to Think.MTV.com to find a community where you, your friends and your favorite celebrities can get informed, get heard and take action on the issues that matter to you most.

• Cassie
• Rihanna

Cassie
Photo: Michael Tran/ FilmMagic

Just a day after photos appeared online of Cassie posing nude, another nude picture of the singer has popped up online. The new photo is even more graphic than the first set, showing Cassie fully nude and posing in a very provocative fashion.

Many celebrities have taken to their Twitter pages to react to the photos. Former Danity Kane member D. Woods Tweeted about the leak, writing, "Cassie gonna sell some albums this round. Y'all see this nude internet photo?"

Meanwhile, Diddy, who has been romantically linked to Cassie in past and has mentored the singer throughout her career, came out in support of the singer. "Turn this one up real loud and dance on dem bi---es!!!!" he wrote to Cassie on Twitter, linking to a music video for the song "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John. "Let's Go!!!"

Other celebrities — like Fabolous, who has worked with Cassie in the past — made light of the photo scandal. "Not really a gym type'a dude," he Tweeted. "But Memorial Day weekend comin. I'mma be in Miami by the pool all day and the top gotta come off ... right Cassie?"

Another Cassie collaborator, Ray J, also weighed in on the photos, Tweeting, "I've seen some small t---ies 2nite!!! On the internet hahahaha, they looked good tho." And, in his usual fashion, celeb blogger Perez Hilton told MTV News, "She sure likes her piercings — all over!"

At press time, a rep for the singer had not granted MTV News' requests for comment.

After the initial photos hit the Web, Cassie took to her blog and Twitter to confirm that it was her in the photos. "The recent personal pictures that have been leaked on the Internet of me were hacked and stolen out of my computer," she wrote on her blog. "These photos were obviously never intended for the world to see, and it's sad that people would really take time to steal and post them, it's just evil. At the end of the day, breasts are breasts, mine weren't the first you've seen and they won't be the last. ... People need to grow up, let's move on. Thank you."

• Cassie
• Diddy

Cassie
Photo: Johnny Nunez/ WireImage

When photos leaked online depicting what appears to be Cassie topless, the singer quickly responded on Twitter, saying that they are in fact of her, and that people shouldn't make such a big deal out of it.

"It seems that someone has hacked into my computer," she Tweeted about the photos. "That's real foul and evil. Now stop acting like you haven't seen a t---y before."

The singer later took to her blog to further comment on the photo leak — posting at 4:57 a.m. — reiterating the fact that she thought whoever released the private photos is "evil."

"The recent personal pictures that have been leaked on the internet of me were hacked and stolen out of my computer," she wrote. "These photos were obviously never intended for the world to see and it's sad that people would really take time to steal and post them, it's just evil. At the end of the day breasts are breasts, mine weren't the first you've seen and they won't be the last ... people need to grow up, let's move on. Thank you."

At press time, a rep for Cassie had not responded to MTV News' multiple requests for comment.

Cassie is certainly not the first pop star in recent years who has had private, nude photos of her leaked to the Internet. "High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens also had a scandal back in 2007 when a nude photo was leaked.

Much like Cassie, Hudgens took responsibility for the photos, saying they were meant to be private and that "kids do stupid things sometimes." "It was something that was meant to be private," she said. "And even though it isn't anymore, I'd still like to keep it as private as I can."

• Cassie

Cassie's half-shaved head
Photo: Courtesy Drewreports

Given the great success of Britney Spears' comeback from tabloid queen to pop princess, it's easy to see why other artists might follow her PR plan in one way or another. Cassie, for instance, made quite a statement when she shaved half her head this past Friday.

According to the New York Daily News, the singer broke the news of her dramatic new look on her Twitter page, where she posted "Yeah I did it" next to an image of her newly buzzed locks.

"Sometimes in life, you need a change," she wrote. "Something deeper than what you thought you were capable of ... Something that displays the 'I don't give a f---' attitude that was always present, but never showcased ... & something that will shock your mother, but make her call you a ROCK STAR."

Could it be a coincidence that Cassie's new single "Must Be Love" (featuring Diddy) is being released for digital download on Tuesday? Or, you could go with another of her Tweeted explanations: "I woke up and felt like it!!! Yeeeahhh!!! LOL."

The radical new look comes just days after Diddy confirmed on his video blog that Cassie's new album would be called Electro Love and is slated to be released later this year.

"You're definitely going to see more independence," Cassie told MTV News of her sophomore release. "On [this album], I got to work with different people and [learn] what their habits were and what works well with me. So you'll see a difference in vocals, a little bit more personality. And it's definitely a sensual album."

• Cassie's New Hairdo

• Cassie

The original Danity Kane lineup
Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage

As the fallout continues from Danity Kane parting ways with Aubrey O'Day and D. Woods, speculation was rife in the blogosphere that R&B songstress Cassie would be joining the group as its new frontwoman.

And on Monday (October 27), rumors began spreading that Shannon Bex has left the group as well — leaving only Aundrea Fimbres and Dawn Richard as Danity Kane — based on information a "source" told Elvis Duran from New York radio station Z100.

Bex had said she was "shell-shocked" by O'Day and Woods' departures.

On Monday, MTV News reached out to a rep from Atlantic Records, the group's label, who shot down rumor #1 but did not address rumor #2.

"Cassie is not joining DK," the rep said. "Cassie is set to release her second solo album in spring of '09."

But what about the Shannon rumor? At press time, the rep had not responded to repeated queries on that issue.

Duran's blog post reads in part: "You remember Shannon, the nice, quiet, married girl who was a great team player. Well, guess little momma has more b---s than all the rest of them! Tired of the drama, cat fights and Diddy, she hands in her microphone and tells Mr. Badboy Worldwide where to stick it!"

On the season finale of "Making the Band 4" earlier this month, Diddy told O'Day, "See, your attitude is gonna have you in a dark and lonely place. ... What you need to do, at the end of the day, is humble yourself," and told Woods that she got "caught up in the wrath" of O'Day.

• Cassie
• Danity Kane

Cassie
Photo: MTV News

As Cassie braces to release her yet-untitled sophomore album, she revealed to MTV News that she is ready to let loose and find new ways to use her voice.

"You're definitely going to see more independence. On [this album], I got to work with different people and [learn] what their habits were and what works well with me," she said. "So you'll see a difference in vocals, a little bit more personality. And it's definitely a sensual album."

This personality comes through on her latest single, "Official Girl," featuring Lil Wayne, a song dedicated to independent-spirited ladies everywhere.

"I definitely think that when I first heard the song, from the beginning of the record you kind of feel like, you know, 'I'm leaving it up to you. I left it to you,' " she said. "And by the time it gets to the second verse and makes it to the end of the song, it just feels like I'm saying, 'I don't want to put up with it anymore. It's not fair.' "

Cassie hopes that the song can spread the message of girl power and empower girls to stand up and take control of their romantic relationships.

"It was a great first single for me because it said something. I fell in love with records like [Beyoncé's] 'Irreplaceable,' where you could emotionally attach yourself to the record as soon as you heard it," she added. "I didn't want something so vague and so clubby, because I wanted people to see me as a woman with something to say."

For those of you who are still unclear as to what exactly an "official girl" is, the singer defines the song's title this way: "I would say that an 'official girl' is someone in a relationship," she said. "You're attentive, you're honest, but at the same time you can let go a little bit.

"To be an official girl, you just have to ride for your significant other and support them 100 percent."

• Cassie
• Lil Wayne

Cassie on the set of her "Official Girl" video
Photo: MTV News

Cassie just wants to be the wifey. Is that too much to ask for a gorgeous model/ singer/ Kanye West video co-star? Apparently so.

"It could go a bunch of different ways," she said earlier this week in L.A. on the set of her video for "Official Girl." Chris Robinson directed and the million-selling Lil Wayne guest-stars on the record, which was produced by Danjahandz. "For me, it meant being with somebody, but not really being with them and wanting their confirmation and wanting them to say it out loud: 'I want to be your official girl.'

"I've had a past experience with it," she continued. "You get through it, but it's sort of challenging when you're in that matrix and trying to figure things out. Then you realize at the end if the person wants to be with you, and it's about how you feel and how you want it to be. So, unfortunately, that situation didn't work out [for me]. But yes, I've been through it, and it happens to a lot of people. So I was happy to be a part of the song."

In the video, Cass says, her choreography is at a whole new level. "I've never seen myself dance like this before," she said.

"It's a series of things," she added about the clip's plot. "You kind of catch me in a crazy-girl stage. It's about the fly chick, she's going into the hotel, feeling out her situation, talking to the guy who she thinks is there, but it's really not. You have to see it. It's hard to explain."

Cassie said she couldn't take any credit for Weezy F. Baby's cameo in the song and video — all the credit goes to Sean Combs.

"Puff surprised me with it," the singer said of Wayne's verse. "He laid the verse. I had no idea. I got on the phone and said, 'Thank you.' It's great. With how he's doing now ... he's platinum today, and he decided on his platinum day to be here with me. It's great. He's one of the best rappers out right now."

Cassie's sophomore LP should arrive by September. It features production by Bryan Michael Cox, 7 Aurelius, Diddy, Mario Winans, Eric Hudson and Kanye West. Wayne is the only confirmed guest star.

• Cassie Aims To Be Weezy's 'Official Girl' At Video Shoot

• Cassie And Lil Wayne On The "Official Girl" Video Set

• Cassie
• Lil Wayne
• Diddy

Photo: MTV News

• Cassie
• Kanye West
• Nelly Furtado
• Ludacris
• Diddy

• Swizz Beatz
• Kanye West
• Pharrell Williams
• Eve
• Cassie

Diddy And Ashton Kutcher's White Party

• Diddy
• Nicole Scherzinger
• Cassie
• Mariah Carey
• Nick Cannon

Cassie's New Hairdo

• Cassie
• Diddy

2009 Grammy Weekend Parties

• Lil Wayne
• Rihanna
• Akon
• T.I.
• Cassie

Chris Brown, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, More At 2008 BET Awards

• Rihanna
• Alicia Keys
• Rick Ross (Hip-Hop)
• Flo Rida
• DJ Khaled

Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Rihanna, Pharrell, More At Gucci's UNICEF Benefit

• Rihanna
• Alicia Keys
• Pharrell Williams
• Diddy
• Gwen Stefani

Paris Hilton, Diddy, Timbaland, Janet Jackson, More Hit The Vegas Party Scene

• Britney Spears
• Justin Timberlake
• Timbaland
• Nick Cannon
• Lil Jon

2006: The Best of Studio Photos

• Lil Jon
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Kelis
• Beck
• Nelly Furtado

2006 EMA Red Carpet

• Juliette & the Licks
• Diddy
• Kanye West
• Snoop Dogg
• Fat Joe

2006 EMA Highlights

• Danger Mouse
• Cee-Lo
• The Killers
• Snoop Dogg
• Pharrell Williams

Spankin' Free TRL Rewind Photos

• Diddy
• Nelly Furtado
• Tenacious D
• AFI
• The Killers