Over the course of a few years, Cameron Richardson morphed from a teenage cross-country runner to a successful model in New York City to an actress in "Harper's Island," a new CBS television series.Not bad for a girl who grew up in Old Bridge.
"I had a great childhood and upbringing in New Jersey," said the Old Bridge High School graduate, who has called California home for the last eight years. ". . . I love it there."
Richardson's role on "Harper's Island" is that of sexy, seductive Chloe Carter, who has an obsession with serial killers. The 13-episode series, which airs at 10 p.m. Thursdays, follows a group of people being stalked by a killer during a destination wedding. Each week, more characters are killed off, and viewers must guess who the killer is. It's a familiar formula that's worked wonders in the movie industry, as films such as "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and the "Scream" franchise can attest.
"Harper's Island" has come under criticism for its violent and gruesome death scenes. But Richardson defends the show, pointing out that plenty of other programs depict similar acts.
"I think they show worse (things) on 'CSI:,'" she said. "Last night, I was watching 'Fringe,' and I saw somebody's body being ripped apart, and I was like, 'Oh, our show's not that bad.'
"But I think that in the context of the horror (genre), people get a little freaked out."
Richardson said she relishes roles that embrace qualities that she herself does not possess.
"I mostly really love playing different characters and someone opposite of myself," she said. "Chloe is the opposite of me. She's kind of flirtatious and sexy. And in my real life, I'm not really like that. I'm kind of like a tomboy — a running, surfing and hiking type of person."
Richardson was excited to work with Jon Turteltaub, who executive produced the series and also directed the "National Treasure" films and the CBS series "Jericho."
"He's one of the best directors I've worked with," she said. "And that was the main reason why I did the show."
The blonde had a prominent role as Jason Lee's love interest in last year's hit children's movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks." It's a part for which she is recognized by young fans."My fan base opened up so much" after that movie came out, Richardson said. "I see little kids with stars in their eyes following me around. Literally, I was like the Pied Piper at the beach one day. Thousands of kids came out of the woodwork, and they're like following me around and I'd turn around and they would run away. . . . Kids are like the best fans to have."
ACTRESS IN TRAINING
Unlike other thespians who claim to have acting in their blood, Richardson came by her career quite by accident."I did one school play — I think it was called 'The Worst High School Play Ever in the World,'" she said with a laugh. "I had a blast doing that, and I didn't necessarily know that I wanted to act."
She spent a few years modeling, in both New York City and California, before her agency requested she try out for an acting role. It turned out to be an experience she enjoyed.
"After that, I fell in love and I got the (acting) bug, and I've just been working really hard," she said.
While she loves living a fast-paced life in Los Angeles, the reality of living among other celebrities has kind of lost its luster.
"It's not as weird as people think . . . the novelty kind of wears off," she admitted. "In California, you're like, 'Oh, that looks like George Clooney that's ahead of me in Starbucks.' And it is George Clooney, and you're like, 'Oh, that's cool.'"
For a different take on things, Richardson likes to visit the East Coast.
"I mostly go to New York," she said. "But I try to come down and visit my sister (in Middlesex County). We'll go to the Outback Steakhouse or something like that. And I'm like 'Yup, I haven't left.'"