Born in Brooklyn, New York, Pennie began his career with roles on NBC's hit drama Law & Order and as a drug-addicted thief on Without a Trace.

His television work quickly caught the eye of Ford Model Management, who signed Pennie, leading him to a successful "ck one" fragrance campaign for Calvin Klein.

Pennie hit the stage in the summer of 2010, appearing in Rent with actors Neil Patrick Harris and Wayne Brady, performing in a three-day limited engagement at the Hollywood Bowl.

In 2010, Collins had the lead role in Stomp the Yard: Homecoming, in which he played Chance Harris, a college student struggling to balance between his school, work, relationships and opportunity to perform in the national step competition.

In the summer of 2010, Pennie appeared in Rent with actors Neil Patrick Harris and Wayne Brady in a three-day limited engagement at the Hollywood Bowl.