Finally, we’re getting to hear Karrueche Tran’s side of the story. The 26-year-old model, who broke up with Chris Brown, 25, several weeks ago after learning that he had fathered a child with another woman, sat down for an exclusive interview with life coach Iyanla Vanzant, which aired on Saturday night. And it was seriously worth the wait. (#karruechespeaks wasn’t trending on Twitter for nothing!)
During the hour-long chat, the Fix My Life host encouraged Karrueche to speak her truth and many tears were shed. In case you missed it, here are the eight biggest moments you need to know about for talking around the water cooler on Monday.
1. Karrueche Doesn’t Want to Be Known as the Girl From TMZ
When Iyanla asked why Tran wanted to do an interview now, she explained, “Now that I’ve chosen a career — acting and modeling — which [requires me to be] in the limelight, it’s very important. One time, I went to an audition and I stated my name, and the lady was like, ‘Oh, that name sounds really familiar. I’ve seen you on TMZ.’ Her first perception of me was what she had heard.”
2. She Met Breezy on a Shoot While Working as a Stylist
“When I first met him, he was nice and charming and I wanted to love him,” she revealed. “To be a friend, to be different than all these other girls who would sleep with him in a second or girls who are gonna go crazy, or people who are just gonna use him. I didn’t want it to be that, I wanted it to be different, and that’s how it was.” She gave her number to one of his dancers, and he called a few days later. Their first date was a trip to Norm’s, a beloved L.A. coffee shop chain, at 2:30 in the morning.
3. She Was Aware of His History of Abuse — and She Accepted It
“I saw a different side of Chris that not everybody sees. Although he’s done whatever he’s done… he’s a good-hearted person,” she told Iyanla. “He’s a big kid with a good heart that’s been through some things, that’s been damaged.”
4. She Was Also Aware of His Back and Forth With Rihanna
Karreuche told Iyanla that she knew Chris was still in communication with Rihanna, but that she was OK with it because, “I was under the impression that it was a friend type of… not a friend, but it wasn’t what it became to be.” But after seeing them snuggling courtside at a Laker’s game on Christmas Day 2012, while she and Chris were together (she was home at his condo), “I knew… I didn’t want to believe it.” Why? “Because I loved him. I’ve never dated a celebrity, I’ve never been in the light that way, so I didn’t know what to expect.”
5. She Waited to Sleep With Him
“I made him wait a couple months. That’s not what he’s used to. I can count on my hand how many guys I’ve slept with in my life, swear to God,” Karrueche told Iyanla. “There’s not too many fingers on this hand. I don’t just give myself… ‘Oh, you’re Chris Brown, I’m gonna have sex with you.’ Every guy that I’ve had sex with, I’ve dated or had a connection with. So, I don’t think I should have waited any longer, I don’t think that’s the problem.”
6. She Found Out He Had a Child With Another Woman Thanks to Social Media
“Honestly, through social media,” she shockingly admitted as to how she learned the devastating news about her beau’s baby, Royalty. “He wanted to talk in person. Actually, at the moment that I found out, he was texting me saying, ‘I need to talk to you in person.’ And then I get online and I see…” Karreuche trailed off, tearing up.
7. She Swears She’s Not Taking Him Back
“He’s said he’s sorry. He’s dropped flowers off. He’s sorry for everything. He’s sorry for what he’s put me through.” But, she insists, “There ain’t no making up right now. There’s no making up.”
8. But She Still Loves Him
“I still love him,” she confessed. “I’ve tried to help him. Go to church, pray, yoga, meditate. If he wanted to change, we’d be in a better place. But that’s the problem. He is damaged but… I’m damaged too.” Through tears, she added, “I will never again let a man disrespect me.” The mistake she takes responsibility for is “not having my own voice.”
