Karrueche Tran -- Who Needs Chris Brown? I'm Thiiis Close to an Emmy, Bitch!

Brace yourself, Chris Brown ... the chick previously best known as your ex-gf just upgraded her title to ... Karrueche Tran -- star of a hit Emmy nominated show.

Karrueche's budding acting career just got a boost when her most recent gig for "The Bay" -- an online soap opera -- got nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding New Approaches Drama Series.

KT joined the cast last year ... taking over the role of Vivian Johnson -- who mysteriously returns to her hometown. She beat out 100 other actresses for the role, and so far has only appeared in 6 episodes -- but we're told she's getting a beefy story line for Season 4.

So, while Chris is off playing daddy ... Karrueche's working on getting her own 4 pound baby -- dipped in gold.