The name — Kearran Giovanni is not a household name, yet, but this dynamic actress is without a doubt someone to keep a sharp eye on.
Giovanni is best known for her role as Detective Amy Skyeson in “Major Crimes,” and she has appeared in several television shows including “Royal Pains,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Dynasty,” and “Bull.” She’s lent her talent to several recurring roles in “Black Lightning,” “Designated Survivor,” “The Resident” and “One Life to Live.”
But it’s her turn as the Ruby Daniels in “American Soul” that caught my eye. In the provocative and fast-moving series, she struts in as a femme fatale, assassin with strong ties to the ruthless mob. Her ability to murder high profile people without a trace is already well known with Gerald Aims (Jason Dirden). Things heat up when she blows into town to fill the void left by another mobster’s death.
In an ironic twist in season two’s storyline, the blindly ambitious Don Cornelius (Sinqua Walls) comes to know Ruby, not as an effective and cold killer but as the savior to his beloved “Soul Train,” but it’s Gerald who knows her true intentions and fears she will surely thwart his efforts in becoming a legit businessman.
Here is what actress, rising star Kearran Giovanni had to share about kicking ass and taking names in BET’s “American Soul” and living life with purpose.
LOS ANGELES SENTINEL: Let’s jump in with the most important question. How are you living your life with purpose?
KEARRAN GIOVANNI: For me, I’ve been on the go for years and my purpose right now to stay with my family. To make dinner. My husband and I are creating a world for them right now that there will be a good memory of the time we are spending together right now. For children—mean dinners. This kitchen is in full fire mode: 9am to 6pm. At some point, the kitchen must close.
LAS: When you walked in — you made the small hairs on the back of my neck rise. Lady, you made the tectonic plates move.
KG: I’ve been working in Atlanta [GA] for the past two years. I’m a mother of two and I stay busy there. The oldest is 12 and my youngest is 11; both girls. They are amazing. I love them and I’ve been with my husband for sixteen years; married fourteen years in August.
LAS: There is so much more than the character Ruby Daniels can do, I didn’t want to see her “go” — any thoughts you can share on this?
KG: (laughing) Well, thank you, Lapacazo, I didn’t want to see her go either. The producers of the show [BET’s American Soul] were tossing around some ideas about having a spin-off. An origin story about the relationship with Ruby and Gerald (Jason Dirden). Like a Bonnie and Clyde type of series. A look at where their love came from?
LAS: Mercy. I’d watch that. I hope they get their creative game plan together because that show will be crazy. Brutal. Sexy and may I also add, a stone-cold gas!. See, what I did there?
KG: (laughing) I did. I did.
LAS: What’s next for you?
KG: Oh gosh. This is also the first time that as actors we have permission not to hustle. That’s like what we have always done. I am hoping to go back to the resident at some point. I had a great time there. Also, there is a new project that will air on
HBO’s it’s called “Red Boone Lane” — and it’s a thriller, Hitchcockian type of mystery, thriller. But who knows what’s happening with BET’s “American Soul,” I mean I would love for them to find a way to bring Ruby back.
LAS: I absolutely concur, let me hashtag it — #BringRubyDanielsback — let’s see if BET listens.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
https://www.bet.com/shows/american-soul.html
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