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Jana Kramer

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Jana Kramer
Kramer in 2014
Born
Jana Rae Kramer

(1983-12-02) December 2, 1983 (age 40)
Rochester Hills, Michigan, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
Years active2002–present
Spouses
  • Michael Gambino
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2004; div. 2004)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 2010; div. 2011)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 2015; div. 2021)​
  • ​
    (m. 2024)​
Children3
Websitewww.janakramer.com

Jana Rae Kramer[1] (born December 2, 1983)[2] is an American country singer and actress. She is known for her role as Alex Dupre on the television series One Tree Hill.

Kramer began her musical career in 2012 and has released two albums: Jana Kramer (2012) and Thirty One (2015). The albums produced seven charted singles on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay, including the top 10 hits "Why Ya Wanna" and "I Got the Boy". She competed on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars, finishing in fourth place.

Early life

[edit]

Jana Rae Kramer was born on December 2, 1983 in Rochester Hills, Michigan[2] to Nora and Martin Kramer,[1] who are of German descent.[citation needed] She has an elder brother, Steve, who is a sergeant at the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.[3] She speaks some German.[4] Kramer lived in Dearborn for some time after her parents divorced.[citation needed] She attended Rochester Adams High School, where she graduated in 2002. Kramer subsequently moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. She later moved to Nashville, Tennessee.[5]

Career

[edit]

2002–2011: Acting career and record deal

[edit]

In 2002, Kramer made her acting debut in the low-budget independent horror film Dead/Undead. The following year Kramer guest appeared on All My Children, which marked Kramer's television debut. Kramer has since continued to appear in a number of television shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice and CSI: NY. She has also had small supporting roles in films such as Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis, Click, Prom Night, Heart of the Country, and Country Crush. She was also in Spring Breakdown.

In 2007, Kramer appeared in a recurring role on the NBC sports drama television series Friday Night Lights. She played the role of Noelle Davenport in the series' second season. In 2008, Kramer appeared in The CW teen drama series 90210, a reboot of the 1990s teen drama television series Beverly Hills 90210. Kramer played the role of high school student Portia Ranson and made her debut in the first season's second episode "The Jet Set". Her role went on for six episodes and Kramer made her final appearance in "The Party's Over", which aired May 5, 2009. In 2009, Kramer appeared on the HBO dramedy television series Entourage. Kramer played the role of a sorority girl who seduces the character Turtle (Jerry Ferrara), and appeared in four episodes.

In June 2009, it was announced Kramer would star in the CW drama television series seventh season of One Tree Hill. Kramer played the role of Alex Dupre, an actress and tabloid darling who becomes the new face of Brooke Davis's fashion line, "Clothes Over Bros", and creates havoc for the residents of Tree Hill. Kramer made her debut in the season's first episode. Initially Kramer's appearance on the show was meant to be in a recurring form, but her role was upgraded to a series regular by the season's fourteenth episode, "Family Affair". In March 2012, Kramer made the announcement that she would no longer be making regular appearances in the show's ninth and final season, as she decided to focus on her music career. Her last appearance on the show occurred in the second episode of the ninth season, "In the Room Where You Sleep," which was aired on January 18, 2012.[6]

In February 2011, Kramer signed a recording contract with Elektra Records. That same month she premiered her promo track, "I Won't Give Up", which premiered in the One Tree Hill episode, "Holding Out for a Hero", and was released the following day exclusively on iTunes and Amazon. The song reached number 75 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The following month Kramer began work on her debut album. Country music producer Scott Hendricks produced the majority of the record. In April 2011, Kramer released another promo track, titled "Whiskey", which she also performed on One Tree Hill. The song reached number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on digital sales alone.[7]

2012–2018: Jana Kramer, and Dancing with the Stars

[edit]

In February 2012, Kramer was cast as the protagonist in the independent drama film, Heart of the Country, playing the role of a privileged young woman, Faith Carraday,[8] who is following her show-biz dreams but leaves it all and moves to rural North Carolina after her husband is jailed for Wall Street fraud. Kramer is also attached to a horror film named The Gatekeeper.[9]

Jana Kramer at the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles.

On January 16, 2012, Kramer released her official debut single, "Why Ya Wanna". Kramer premiered the official music video, directed by Kristin Barlowe, on February 6, 2012. The song peaked at number 52 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. "Whiskey" is the album's second official single. On June 1, 2012, Kramer made her first televised live performance on Fox & Friends to promote her debut album. She performed "Why Ya Wanna" in front of a crowd of fans in New York City. On June 5, 2012, Kramer released her self-titled debut album Jana Kramer. The record received positive reviews from critics with many praising Kramer's vocal performance.

On June 5, 2013, Nationwide Insurance released the first of a series of commercials in its "Join the Nation" campaign, featuring Kramer as a stealthy woman dressed in black leather who follows a team of burglars and replaces the items they steal with newer versions to promote Nationwide's "Brand New Belongings" initiative.[10] Nationwide had signed Kramer to sing the Nationwide jingle in August 2012.[11] A second commercial, released in April 2014, featured Kramer's character replacing items in a fire-blackened apartment to promote Nationwide's renters' insurance.[12] In November 2014, Jana reprised her Nationwide role, this time as a sexy Santa Claus-like figure replacing items during Christmas season. Nationwide's advertising partner McKinney is behind the spots.[13]

In July 2013, Kramer opened for Blake Shelton on his Ten Times Crazier Tour in Virginia Beach, VA.[14] In August 2013, the independent film Approaching Midnight starring Kramer had its world premiere at the Emagine Royal Oak in Michigan.[15]

In 2024, Jana Kramer starred in the Lifetime movie Gaslit By My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story as Morgan Metzer where she was also the executive producer. It is based on the true story on how Morgan was gaslit by her ex-husband Rodney Metzer (portrayed by Austin Nichols).[16]

Personal life

[edit]

Kramer married Michael Gambino in 2004.[17] They divorced several months later, after Kramer suffered severe domestic abuse that led to Gambino's 2005 conviction on attempted murder charges.[18] On December 22, 2009, Kramer became engaged to actor Johnathon Schaech, whom she had met on the set of Prom Night. They married on July 4, 2010, in Michigan. The couple separated a month later.[19] Their divorce was finalized in June 2011.[20] Kramer met country music singer Brantley Gilbert in June 2012 CMT Music Awards. They later began dating and became engaged on January 20, 2013, his 28th birthday,[21] but ended their relationship in August 2013.[22]

In August 2014, Kramer began dating Washington Redskins tight end Mike Caussin, whom she met on Twitter.[23] She announced just weeks later that they had split because of his infidelity.[24] Shortly after, she publicly forgave him and they reconciled. Kramer and Caussin became engaged in December 2014 on her 31st birthday,[25] and were married on May 22, 2015.[26]

On August 10, 2015, the couple revealed they were expecting their first child.[27] Kramer gave birth to her daughter on January 31, 2016.[28] By August 2016, Kramer and Caussin had separated in the midst of Caussin's admission into rehab for sex addiction.[29] They reconciled the following year and renewed their wedding vows in December 2017.[30] In April 2018, Kramer and Caussin shared their battle with his sex addiction.[31] In July of that year, Kramer announced she was expecting her second child.[32] Kramer gave birth to her first son on November 29, 2018.[33]

On April 20, 2021, Kramer filed for divorce from Caussin, citing "inappropriate marital conduct, irreconcilable differences and adultery". Two days after the pair split, a temporary restraining order was issued.[34] On May 20, 2021, it was reported that Kramer and Caussin reached an agreement with custody and child support. Kramer was awarded primary custody, according to the documents.[35] The divorce was finalized on July 22, 2021.[36]

From September 2021 to October 2021, Kramer dated former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.[37] From late 2021 to April 2022, Kramer dated fitness trainer and Navy veteran Ian Schinelli.[38][39]

In January 2023, Kramer publicly confirmed via Instagram her relationship with Allan Russell, a former Scottish soccer player who created Superior Striker, a coaching program. On May 25, 2023, it was confirmed the two were engaged after six months of dating.[40] On June 8, 2023, the couple confirmed via Instagram that they are expecting their first child together.[41] Kramer gave birth to her second son on November 13, 2023.[42] Kramer and Russell married on July 13, 2024 in Scotland. [43]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2002 Dead/Undead Alice St. James
2003 The Passage Bartender at Alvin's
Blood Games Mistress Tiamat Credited as Jana Rae
2005 Blue Demon Carrie
Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis Katie Williams
2006 Click Julie
2007 Boxboarders! Victoria
2008 Prom Night April
Bar Starz Ryann
The Poker Club Trudy Todaro
2009 Laid to Rest Jamie
Spring Breakdown Seven #2
2013 Heart of the Country Faith Carraday
Approaching Midnight Aspen
2016 Country Crush Katherine
2018 Support the Girls Shaina

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2006 CSI: NY Paige Rowand Episode 3.10: "Sweet 16"
2007–2008 Friday Night Lights Noelle Davenport 7 episodes
2008 Can You Duet Herself Episode 1.01 "Open Auditions"
Episode: "Workshop Week 1"
Grey's Anatomy Lola Episode: "Freedom" (Parts 1 & 2)
2008–09 90210 Portia Ranson 5 episodes
2009 Private Practice Lyla Episode 2.19: "What Women Want"
Entourage Brooke Manning 3 episodes
2009–12 One Tree Hill Alex Dupre Main role in seasons 7–9 (43 episodes)
2013 Dance Moms Herself Episode 4.01: "Welcome Back... Now Don't Get Too Comfy"
2016 Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant on season 23
Country Crush Katherine Television film
2017 Love at First Bark Julia Television film (Hallmark)
Christmas in Mississippi Holly Logan Television film (Lifetime)
2019 Christmas in Louisiana Sarah Winter Television film (Lifetime)
2020 A Welcome Home Christmas Chloe Marquee Television film (Lifetime)
2021 Soccer Mom Madam Anna Television film (Lifetime)
The Holiday Fix Up Sam Television film (Lifetime); Also executive producer
2022 Steppin' Into The Holiday Rae Television film (Lifetime); Also executive producer
72 hours Anita Television film (Lifetime)
2023 Chicago Fire Melissa Keating Season 11 Episode 11: "A Guy I Used to Know "
A Cowboy Christmas Romance Lexie Crenshaw Television film (Lifetime)
2024 Gaslit by My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story Morgan Metzer Television film (Lifetime); Also executive producer

Dancing with the Stars

[edit]

On August 30, 2016, Kramer was announced as one of the celebrities who would compete on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with professional partner Gleb Savchenko. Kramer and Savchenko reached the finals of the show and finished in 4th place.

Week Dance Music Judges' scores[a] Total score Result
1 Viennese waltz "Dangerous Woman" — Ariana Grande 7 6 6 8 27 Safe
2 Tango "I Don't Want to Be" — Gavin DeGraw 7 8 7 7 29 Safe
3 Jive "Too Many Fish in the Sea" — Bette Midler 6 7 6 7 26 Safe
(Immunity)
4 Foxtrot "Here Comes the Sun" — The Beatles 8 — 7 8 23 Safe
5 Contemporary "In My Daughter's Eyes" — Martina McBride 9 — 8 9 26 Safe
6 Argentine tango "Hands to Myself" — Selena Gomez 10 — 10 10 40[b] Safe
7 Samba "Get Down Tonight" — KC and the Sunshine Band 8 8 9 9 34 Safe
Freestyle
(Team Future) 		"Embrace" — Armin van Buuren, feat. Eric Vloeimans 8 9 9 9 35
8 Jazz "Little Shop of Horrors" — Alan Menken 9 — 9 9 27 Safe
Salsa
(Dance-off) 		"Magic" — Robin Thicke Winner 3
9 Waltz "She Used to Be Mine" — Sara Bareilles 10 — 10 10 40[c] Safe
Contemporary
(Team dance) 		"Bird Set Free" — Sia 10 10 10 40[c]
10
Semifinals 		Quickstep "Go Mama" — Wayne Beckford 9 — 9 10 28 Safe
Paso doble "Kill of the Night" — Gin Wigmore 10 10 10 30
11
(Finals) 		Tango "Stay the Night" — Zedd, feat. Hayley Williams 8 9 9 9 35 Eliminated
Freestyle "Unstoppable" — Sia 9 9 9 9 36
Notes
  1. ^ Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Julianne Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
  2. ^ Jana and Gleb also received a score of 10 from guest judge Pitbull.
  3. ^ a b Jana and Gleb also received a score of 10 from guest judge Idina Menzel.

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Jana Kramer discography

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Result[citation needed]
2012 American Country Awards New Artist of the Year Nominated
Single by a New Artist: "Why You Wanna" Nominated
Music Video by a New Artist: "Why You Wanna" Nominated
2013 ACM Awards Top New Female Artist Won
Top New Artist Nominated
CMT Music Awards Female Video of the Year: "Why Ya Wanna" Nominated
Breakthrough Video of the Year: "Why Ya Wanna" Nominated
2016 ACM Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated
American Country Countdown Awards Breakthrough Female of the Year Nominated
Female Vocalist of the Year Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Jana Kramer". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Leggett, Steve. "Jana Kramer Biography". AllMusic.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2016. Gives birthplace as Detroit, Michigan, of which Rochester Hills is a suburb.
  3. ^ Edwards, Tara (November 7, 2016). "Dancing With The Stars' Jana Kramer's brother to compete in local dance competition". WXYZ Detroit. Scripps Local Media. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  4. ^ "New Artist Spotlight: Jana Kramer". Great American County. Archived from the original on June 4, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  5. ^ Crawfis, Jesse (February 28, 2012). "Actress, Country Music Star Returns To Her Hometown With Video". Oakland Press. Oakland County, Michigan. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  6. ^ Dauphin, Chuck (March 21, 2012). "Spotlight: Jana Kramer Gave Up 'One Tree Hill' for Music Dreams". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  7. ^ "Jana Kramer Signs Record Deal, Will Debut Single On "One Tree Hill"". MTV. February 4, 2011. Archived from the original on February 6, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  8. ^ "利尻ヘアカラートリートメントを週1回使用すれば白髪なし＆髪はツヤツヤになる！". HeartOfTheCountry.com.
  9. ^ "Jana Kramer of 'One Tree Hill' to play lead role in 'Heart of the Country'". The WAE. February 22, 2012. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  10. ^ "Jana Kramer Stars in New Nationwide Ad". Nationwide Blog. June 5, 2013. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  11. ^ "Jana Kramer Signed to Sing Nationwide's 'On Your Side' Jingle". JanaKramer.com. August 10, 2012. Archived from the original on January 22, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  12. ^ "Watch Jana Kramer's Sexy-as-Usual New Nationwide TV Spot". ArtistDirect.com. April 10, 2014. Archived from the original on September 2, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  13. ^ "Work for Nationwide". McKinney.com. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  14. ^ "Blake Shelton Tour Dates 2013 Will Be 'Ten Times Crazier'". Theboot.com. January 17, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  15. ^ "Independent Michigan film 'Approaching Midnight' premieres in Royal Oak". The Oakland Press. September 9, 2013. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  16. ^ Lowe, Lindsay (June 9, 2024). "The true story behind the Lifetime movie 'Gaslit By My Husband', according to Morgan Metzer herself". Today. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  17. ^ Johnson, Zach (December 4, 2014). "Jana Kramer Is Engaged to Michael Caussin!". E! News. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  18. ^ Leonard, Elizabeth (July 18, 2017). "Jana Kramer's Shocking Secret: My First Husband Tried to Kill Me". People. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  19. ^ Finn, Natalie (August 9, 2010). "One Tree Hill Actress's Marriage Over After a Month". E! News. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  20. ^ "One Tree Hill's Jana Rae Kramer Finalizes Divorce". Us Weekly. June 8, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  21. ^ Dukes, Billy (September 21, 2012). "Brantley Gilbert Confirms That He and Jana Kramer Are Dating". Taste of Country. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
  22. ^ Takeda, Allison (August 15, 2013). "Jana Kramer Split: Singer, Fiance Brantley Gilbert Call Off Engagement". Us Weekly. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  23. ^ "Jana Kramer Wedding". CMT News. April 9, 2015. Archived from the original on April 13, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  24. ^ "Jana Kramer is single again". NashvilleGab. August 25, 2014. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  25. ^ Shelburn, Craig (December 3, 2014). "Jana Kramer Engaged to Michael Caussin". CMT News. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  26. ^ Webber, Stephanie (May 22, 2015). "Jana Kramer Marries Michael Caussin: "We Feel Extremely Blessed"". Us Weekly. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  27. ^ "Jana Kramer Pregnant; Expecting First Child with Michael Caussin – Moms & Babies – Celebrity Babies and Kids - Moms & Babies - People.com". Archived from the original on August 11, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  28. ^ Murray, Rheana (February 1, 2016). "Singer Jana Kramer shares first photo of adorable baby girl". Today. NBC.
  29. ^ Michaud, Sarah (August 24, 2016). "Jana Kramer Separates from Husband Mike Caussin as He Enters Rehab". People.
  30. ^ Pasquini, Maria (December 31, 2017). "Jana Kramer and Husband Mike Caussin Renew Their Vows After Separation". People.
  31. ^ "Jana Kramer Supports Husband Mike Caussin After He Opens Up About Sex Addiction: 'We Got Your Back'". People. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  32. ^ Hautman, Nicholas (July 23, 2018). "Pregnant Jana Kramer Reveals Sex of Baby No. 2, Says Daughter Jolie Is 'Very Excited'". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  33. ^ Kramer, Jana (November 29, 2018). "Welcome to the world, Jace Joseph Caussin". Jana Kramer verified Instagram account.
  34. ^ Hearon, Sarah (April 27, 2021). "Jana Kramer and Mike Caussin's Divorce Includes Restraining Order: Details". Us Weekly. A360 Media Entertainment Group. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  35. ^ Nardino, Meredith (May 20, 2021). "Jana Kramer and Mike Caussin's Custody Arrangement and Child Support Agreement Revealed Amid Divorce". Us Weekly. A360 Media Entertainment Group. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  36. ^ Campione, Katie. "Jana Kramer Finalizes Divorce from Mike Caussin: 'It's Just the Beginning of My Story'". People.com. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  37. ^ Contreras, Cydney (October 6, 2021). "Why Jay Cutler "Broke It Off" With Jana Kramer After Brief Romance". E! News. NBCUniversal. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  38. ^ DeSantis, Rachel. "Jana Kramer Reveals New Boyfriend Ian Schinelli on Instagram: 'Really Nice to Find Happiness'". People.com. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  39. ^ Shilliday, Beth (January 11, 2022). "Who Is Jana Kramer's Boyfriend? Get to Know Her Hunky Personal Trainer Ian Schinelli After Mike Caussin Divorce". Life & Style. A360 Media Entertainment Group. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  40. ^ DeSantis, Rachel (May 25, 2023). "Jana Kramer Is Engaged to Allan Russell After 6 Months of Dating: 'I Know He's My Person'". People!. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  41. ^ Carras, Christi (June 8, 2023). "Jana Kramer expecting first child with fiancé Allan Russell: 'It's been hard to hide'". The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  42. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  43. ^ "Jana Kramer Marries Allan Russell in Scotland Wedding: See the Castle, Kilts and Tartan Ribbon Cake! (Exclusive)".
[edit]
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