R&B singer Cassie, who has been criticized in the past for taking not-so-hot photos, just turned up the heat for her Vibe Vixen photospread in the magazine's October/November 2013 issue.

During her sit down with the magazine, the "King of Hearts songstress chatted about her relationship with P. Diddy (still not confirming whether they're hooking up), working with a slew of artists for her new album especially with Kendrick Lamar, working with Nicki Minaj, shooting down rumors about her recent deal with Drake's OVO label, having kids and bringing the heat to the magazine.

Here's a few highlights:

On standing her ground as female in the music industry and working with Nicki Minaj:

As a woman in the industry, there are so many things you’re up against. If you’re pretty, you’re too pretty. If you’re talented, you’re too talented to the point where people don’t want to listen to your music. And I’m not talking about Beyoncé, who is way up there. I’m just talking about people who are making the music that they love. It’s a confidence thing. It doesn’t matter what you bring out as long as you believe in it and back it up. That’s something that took time to learn. I would second guess myself a lot.

Working with Nicki:

The first time I stepped out of the zone of standing behind somebody and being worried about giving my opinion was when I did “The Boys” video with Nicki Minaj. It was a trying experience, putting looks together with my team and being very, very involved and saying, “No, I’m not wearing that. This is not happening. This is how I want my hair and make-up.” That was the first time I really stood my ground and when everyone looked up, it was like “Girl, you really killed it.” It’s knowing what I want, being aware and sure of it. And not being phased by all the other bull that goes down. 

On her relationship with P. Diddy and if she's ever wished to be with him:

[Laughs] No, no, no it was always just for boys to like me. That was it. The other day I did. Have you ever been to the Joshua Tree in Palm Springs, just outside of Palm Springs?

On Diddy inspiring her to run your own empire and was there an important business lesson learned from him:

Absolutely. Just being around him is a completely inspiring experience. Starting my own empire would be great. I’m trying to figure that out. I’m still working with Cassie Enterprises right now but I think that would be something I would love to do.

Being a model for more than half your life, describe the moment you realized your looks are a means to getting what you want, whether it was attention from a certain guy or landing the dream job. It’s so funny for you to even say “attention from a guy” because I had my funny-looking stage. I think everyone had it as a kid. I remember every star, every birthday wish blowing out a candle, I would always wish boys would like me because I used to get made fun of a little bit.

On On rumors about her signing to Drake's OVO label:

I honestly don’t know where that came from but I had heard about it. I went to the OVO Festival in Canada, which was really dope, but no, I’m currently signed to Bad Boy and Interscope. Drake and I talked at the festival about working together, so hopefully that comes into fruition.

On any plans of settling down and have kids:

Oh my god! Me and my friends are always talking about that. Maybe some mini Cassies or Cassiuses coming up. I’m not really sure. My new thing right now is I’m going to get back into some acting. I did Step Up 2 a while ago and I enjoyed being on set so I think I’m going to start taking classes, work with an agency and seeing where that goes as well.

On her new album and working with other rap artists including Kendrick:

I’m working on a sophomore album currently so hopefully things start to move. People have been waiting for that sophomore album for a minute now. I would hope that by next spring it would be out. I still have a lot of leftover stuff actually from the mixtape that are really, really good. 

Any other collaborations because you grabbed all the hottest people for the ‘tape, except Kendrick Lamar on “I Know What You Want” would have been dope. Kendrick’s on the list. We definitely had spoken to his manager about trying to get him on it. I think I had reached out to Big Sean but it didn’t work out.

Be sure to read the full interview HERE.

Image credit: Jared Ryder