The Biography of Deva Cassel
Deva Cassel, the eldest daughter of Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci, was born into an extraordinary life. She actually graced the cover of a glossy magazine before she was even born, thanks to her mother's pregnancy photoshoot in 2004. At the time, no one could've imagined that modeling for fashion magazines would become second nature to Deva.At 14, Deva stunned the world when she appeared at Fashion Week in 2019. The tall, dark-haired beauty with mesmerizing eyes and full lips—inheriting the best of both parents—charmed everyone instantly. Prestigious publications called her "the new muse of Italian fashion," and Dolce & Gabbana offered her a lucrative contract. That moment launched her incredible career.
By then, Deva's repertoire had expanded beyond ad campaigns and catwalks to include acting in films. After starring in the feature film "The Beautiful Summer," she acted in the series "The Leopard," set to premiere in the fall of 2024. Critics have compared the project to "Downton Abbey" and "The Crown."
Early Years
Deva Cassel became the first child of famous actors Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci. She was born on September 12, 2004, in Rome. Six years later, her sister Leonie was born.During those years, the family moved frequently because of Cassel's and Bellucci's demanding schedules. Deva, along with Léonie, had to change educational institutions often, attending different schools in Paris, Rome, and London.
As a child, the eldest daughter of the Hollywood power couple openly disliked media attention and hoped to choose a career away from the spotlight. But over time, her dreams shifted.
Deva grew up as a very creative girl and from an early age engaged in singing, drawing, and performing arts. Later, the model regularly posted videos on social media playing guitar and performing her own songs.
Modeling Career
As Deva grew up, her striking beauty became undeniable. In 2019, the 14-year-old daughter of actors made her first public appearance at Milan Fashion Week and captivated audiences worldwide.The sweet little girl had blossomed into a stunning beauty. She inherited the best features from her father and mother: her thick hair, dreamy gaze, slender figure, high cheekbones, and full lips were the envy of women everywhere. Though some suspected she'd had work done, Deva firmly denied any cosmetic enhancements.
Dolce & Gabbana representatives wasted no time offering the rising star a contract. In 2020, Cassel became the face of their fragrances Dolce Shine and Dolce Rose. Critics and media alike raved about the young model: Elle France recognized her as "the new muse of Italian fashion" and arranged a photoshoot for her.
Deva began appearing on magazine covers, making her mother proud. Monica Bellucci shared photos with her daughter on social media. "It feels like yesterday you were my little girl. Time flies so fast!" the actress marveled.
In July 2021, Monica and Deva took part in a joint photoshoot for Vogue Italia. Cassel revealed the shoot brought them closer together, as the last time they posed together for a glossy magazine was in 2004: she was referring to the iconic Vanity Fair shoot featuring a pregnant, nude Bellucci. "Seeing my pregnant and so happy mother is still very exciting for me. I always liked those photos," said the model.
The photoshoot also served as Deva's declaration that she was ready to launch her solo career, especially with offers already pouring in. She signed a contract with the modeling agency Karin Models, which her mother had worked with.
At the end of 2021, Cassel first walked the runway, participating in a Dolce & Gabbana show in Venice. Industry experts immediately predicted a brilliant future for her, with many believing she'd eventually eclipse even Monica's fame.
Those predictions started coming true by 2022: Deva appeared in the news and on magazine covers far more often than Bellucci. She also became a fixture at high-profile events, with fashion critics dissecting every one of her looks.
In spring 2023, Cassel starred in the advertising campaign for Dolce Violet perfume. Dressed in gorgeous outfits, the model danced through Milan's streets to a dreamy soundtrack. By the end of the year, Deva became the face of the mass-market brand Zara and appeared in the company's looks.
She also became an ambassador for the brand Sisley. Additionally, Cassel participated in shows for Coperni, Jacquemus, and Alberta Ferretti.
Acting Career
In 2023, the film "The Beautiful Summer," directed by Laura Luchetti, was released, featuring Deva Cassel in one of the leading roles. The movie is an adaptation of the novel by the same name by Cesare Pavese."As a child, I often visited my parents on the set, and I was fascinated to see how an idea becomes tangible. Being part of a film project gave me these intense moments that really helped me grow," noted the model.
Cassel noted that while her parents kept a close eye on her work, they made sure not to interfere with filming. After the premiere, critics highly praised the debutante's performance.
Deva Cassel's Personal Life
Deva managed to maintain a warm relationship with both parents after their divorce in 2013. Cassel also warmly welcomed her father's new partner (in 2018, Vincent Cassel married model Tina Kunakey). When a daughter, Amazonie, was born into their union a year later, Deva happily spent time with her younger sister and maintained a connection with her even after her father's separation from her stepmother in 2023.Cassel preferred to keep her personal life private. The press did uncover her relationship with model Luka Salandra in 2019. He posted photos with the star family's daughter on social media, and paparazzi frequently caught the couple in passionate kisses on the streets. Salandra attended fashion shows featuring Deva to support her.
In 2023, fans noticed he'd deleted all photos with his girlfriend from his page. Breakup rumors started swirling, and they turned out to be true. In October of the same year, it became known that Cassel had started a romance with actor Saul Nanni. Their relationship apparently began on the set of "The Leopard," and the model left Salandra for her new love interest.
In January 2024, Deva and Saul made their first public appearance together, attending Paris Haute Couture Week.
Deva Cassel Now
In early 2024, Deva appeared in Numero Magazine and Spanish ELLE. In March, the brand Dior named the 19-year-old Cassel as its new ambassador. She's become the face of the company's fashion and beauty lines. "I've always had immense respect for the house of Dior, and the feminine and sophisticated image they convey has always been my dream," she shared.She first appeared in the advertising campaign for the Dior Beauty summer collection of 2024, which launched on April 1st. Brand representatives called the model a rising star of her generation and said they're confident she'll bring freshness and diversity to the company.
In September 2024, the Netflix platform is set to release the series "The Leopard," in which Deva played the lead role of Angelica Sedara. The series is a remake of the iconic 1963 film starring Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale.
The project's plot is based on the novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. The story explores the revolutionary events in Sicily during the 1860s. Critics have compared the upcoming series to shows like "Downton Abbey" and "The Crown." "Working on 'The Leopard' was an important experience that taught me a lot, but it was also very challenging," Cassel admitted.
After wrapping the series, she decided to take a break from acting and focus on fashion. Deva hasn't hidden her dream of creating her own capsule clothing collection in collaboration with a major brand.
Interesting Facts
- Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci chose the beautiful name Deva for their daughter for a reason: it means "divine" in Sanskrit.
- Cassel loves junk food. She can't resist pizza, especially Pepperoni and Margherita.