Born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Davis attended Spelman College in Atlanta and majored in music. She left the college one credit short of graduation, because she was not allowed to perform religious music during her senior recital. Davis returned to Spelman in 2008 to complete her degree, graduating in November of that year. She has credited her devout, born-again Christian faith as the main reason behind her professional success.

Davis is best known for her role as Ella Payne in the TBS sitcom Tyler Perry’s House of Payne from 2007 to 2012. She received two NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance. In 2018, she starred in House of Payne spinoff The Paynes that aired on Oprah Winfrey Network. In 2020, revival series of House of Payne was ordered on BET.

Davis’ acting career began in 1988 with a supporting role in the Spike Lee comedy film School Daze. Her early television credits include appearances on Living Single, Married… with Children, Kenan & Kel, and The PJ’s. She established her acting career by appearing in Tyler Perry productions such as Madea’s Family Reunion, Madea Goes to Jail, Daddy’s Little Girls, Madea’s Big Happy Family, Boo! A Madea Halloween and A Madea Family Funeral.

Cassandra “Cassi” Davis (born July 30, 1964) is an American actress and singer who is best known for her role as Ella Payne on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and its spin-off series The Paynes. She has also starred in several other productions under the direction of Tyler Perry.