I’m so lucky to be back in Ireland and working on Exposé

By Mary Dennehy

A PAST student of Ballyfermot College, Xposé presenter Cassie Stokes recently made the ‘40 under 40’ list of next generation Irish whose talents are putting their country on the map.

Published by the Irish Independent, the list included a number of young people who have links to local communities, including Tallaght Independent Senator Lynn Ruane, Tallaght actress Seana Kerslake, Templeogue 22-year-old Killian Farrell, who is based in the National Opera Studio in London, and mixed martial artist Aisling Daly from Drimnagh.

Dr Lydia Lynch from Greenhills, who had a major scientific breakthrough that could help manage obesity, diabetes and metabolic disease, also made the list, alongside Ellen Kavanagh from Rathfarnham, who developed Waxperts – a range which is now used in more than 900 Irish salons and is stocked nationwide in the UK and Poland.

Xposé presenter Cassie Stokes (29), who studied presenting and communications in Ballyfermot College also made the list, with the laid-back and modest presenter’s natural energy, smiling demeanour and positive attitude to work and life securing her a spot.

Cassie, who spent several years in Canada as a child with her parents, took some time out this week to have a quick chat with The Echo.

You recently made the ‘40 under 40’ list, how did that make you feel?

Amazing! Couldn’t believe it when I found out. It’s so nice to even be considered for something like this and to then be included, especially amongst such brilliant people from all industries. I was over the moon!

You studied presenting and communications in Ballyfermot College, how do you remember your days there?

Full of laughs. I loved studying there, it was a very hands-on course, less theory and more practical work. So we wrote shows, filmed lots of segments. I also met one of my bffs there, Roisín O’Rourke, we used to have a great laugh writing sketches – both of us always wanted to be involved in comedy.

You had a host of media-related jobs on your journey to Xposé, how important do you believe hard work and experience is? 

It’s always important to work hard, that’s why it’s great if you can do something you love. It makes it easier to work hard. I think moving to Toronto four years ago really helped me grow professionally and personally, I worked in an Irish pub PJ O’Brien’s when I first arrived, which was brilliant. I made loads of Irish friends, then I got a job as a producer in a production company and then my role at ET CANADA. Every job I’ve done has helped me along the way, whether I’ve hated it or loved it – it’s all added up to this! When I was living and working in TV3 back in 2012 my dream job was Xposé, I can’t believe four years later I work here.

The media industry is an ever-changing field, any advice for young people hoping to work in TV?

It’s tough, and unpredictable but a lot of fun. I think it’s so important to learn all sides of the industry, meet as many people as you can, work hard and most importantly enjoy the journey because it’s a great laugh.

Four years ago, you left Ireland and returned to Canada. This was a pretty life-changing time for you?

Yep, it definitely was. I wanted to explore, and most of my friends had moved away too so I wanted to experience that. My favourite part was moving to Toronto, finding an apartment with friends and getting a job as a server in a pub, it was so freeing and I had such a good laugh working there with all the other Irish like myself who moved away. I also learned how to pull pints, hold too many plates and the quickest way to refill ketchup bottles.

Are you happy to be home?

Toronto was one of the best things to happen to me, I met some brilliant people. Funny enough, most of them were Irish, because that city is full of Irish! I’m so lucky to be back in Ireland though, I love this country and everyone in it, Irish people are the best. I’m enjoying exploring and spending time with my family again. I’m very lucky.

When you returned to Ireland last year, you landed the Xposé job – I’ve read that working on Xposé was always a dream?

It is a dream, I still can’t believe I work there and they want my face on the telly. I’m thrilled the producers even thought of me for the role.

What’s the number one fashion item you couldn’t live without?

My Converse – they’re four months old and they look about 40 years old!

Any fashion tips for the winter season?

Warm cosy jumpers are usually my go-to and Converse. Oh, and velvet is back . . . do with that what you will!

When you were younger, what was your worst fashion disaster? (You can include hair in this!)

My teens were probably just one big fashion disaster – Abercrombie and Fitch have a lot to answer for.

Do you have a fashion icon?

Cara Delevingne – I love everything she wears. I definitely can’t pull off anything she wears, but I would if I could.

What do you love most about working on TV3’s Xposé?

The team, we have a great laugh, everyone works so hard, I’m very lucky to be part of it.