Karrueche Tran Wants This ‘Dark’ World To Listen To Women

The Emmy-winning actor believes there’s an important message in her latest film, “The Regina Smith Story.”

Karrueche Tran is manifesting bigger and better. And she knows faith without work is dead.

For the past few years, the 36-year-old actor has been making her rounds on TV projects. Her knack for going toe-to-toe with big names as her supporting characters can’t go unnoticed. Her Virginia became a beloved favorite when she starred opposite Harold Perrineau and Niecy Nash in “Claws.” Her role as Vivian Garrett on “The Bay” earned her a Daytime Emmy, making her the first Asian American and Pacific Islander to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Fiction Program category. And her role as Ivy on “Bel-Air” adds a refreshing character to a reimagined series that’s getting better each season.

Many have grown to know Tran for her regular series appearances, but she’s taking a stake in the feature film arena, too. And though she’s acted in several projects already (2023’s “House Party,” “Divinity,” “The Honor List”), there’s a new energy she’s sitting in for her most recent project: “Searching for a Serial Killer: The Regina Smith Story.”

The Lifetime original, which premiered on Nov. 9, is based on the true story of Regina Smith, a single mom and rookie cop who investigates a series of murders targeting sex workers when few seem to care about their lives. Tran hadn’t heard of Smith prior to learning about the role but was inspired to tell this story of a woman who fought to protect those on the outskirts. Having a true crime element was a bonus.

“What really drew me to Regina’s story was her strength,” Tran said during a Zoom interview. “Even the way that she cared for the working girls, she really pushed for those girls. She was the reason why that serial killer was eventually stopped. Because a lot of people would have looked at it like, they are working girls. Who cares? They’re prostitutes. She led with her heart and led with care that shows just who she is as a person. And I really admired that. And it’s just a beautiful heroic story.”