Gianna Lou Cassini (néeMüller; born January 2, 1949), better known with her stage name Nadia Cassini, is a retired American actress, singer and showgirl who became famous in Italian exploitation films of the 1970s and early 1980s, particularly in the commedia sexy all'italiana genre in late 1970s.
Early life and career
Cassini was born on January 2, 1949, to German American Harrison Müller Sr. (1929–1998) and his Italian American wife, Patricia (who were professional dancers and actors), during a tour in Woodstock, New York. She left her family at an early age and traveled abroad, working as a stripper. She had affairs with many wealthy men including Georges Simenon.[1] She moved to Italy in 1968.
In the 1980s, after appearing as a showgirl in some successful TV shows such as Drive In and Premiatissima, her face was partially disfigured and her right ear lost in a botched plastic surgery procedure.[2][4]
After retiring from the Italian scene, Cassini worked for French television and later returned to the United States.[2]
In 1978, she released her first album Encounters of a Loving Kid on the CDG record label.
In 1982, she released her most famous single "When (I'm Falling in Love) / A chi la do stasera".
In 1983, she released her second album Get Ready with RCA Italiana, which was her most famous album.
In 1985, she released her third and final album Dreams with Five Record.
Personal life
Cassini married Igor Cassini, an American journalist of Russian and Italian nobility, in 1969. She divorced Cassini in 1972 and moved to London with her boyfriend, Greek actor Yorgo Voyagis. Their daughter, Kassandra, was born in 1977 and Cassini returned to cinema one year later in 1978.
References
^Giacomo Alexis, Ora parlo io, EA Management Editore, 2004, cap. II
