Karrueche Tran On Relating To Her Feisty ‘Claws’ Character: ‘She Had To Fight To Survive’

Karrueche Tran has landed her first big TV role — and she’s playing a woman who doesn’t take any BS! HollywoodLife.com caught up with model, 29, to hear about her role as Virginia in ‘Claws,’ and why it is she wanted the role.

“I wanted to do something great and I wanted to work with all these strong women,” Karrueche Tran told us EXCLUSIVELY at the TNT Upfront in New York City. “It’s a moment for me; this is my biggest project. It’s very empowering and I’m really excited for people to see this character I’ve never played before. I’ve played the wife, or the girlfriend, but my character on the show is so crazy; she’s so much fun.” Claws follows a diverse group of manicurists working at the Nail Artisan of Manatee County salon — but also doing a lot of dirty work behind the scenes. The show the cast refers to as the “female Scarface,” is set in South Florida and also stars Niecy Nash, Carrie Preston, Harold Perrineau, Jenn Lyon, Judy Reyes and Dean Norris.

When explaining her character Virginia, who makes no effort to hide her boredom and impatience with her job at the salon, Karrueche says she’s “fiesty,” yet still human. “She has so many different elements and layers. She’s regular like everyone else,” she added. Karrueche also reflected on being able to relate to her character, saying she’s been through the ringer with all of her life experiences. “She’s had to fight to survive, and I have a bit of those qualities in me,” she said. “She’s tough, and having to pull herself together. When she could give up, she pushes herself.”

Karrueche has also landed supporting roles in The Bay, The Nice Guys, Vanity, and Single Ladies. You can watch Claws on TNT on Sunday, June 11, at 9 p.m. ET. Check out the trailer above — will you be watching?