# Jana Kramer

Jana Rae Kramer (born December 2, 1983) is an American actress and country singer. 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

Jana Rae Kramer was born on December 2, 1983 in Rochester Hills, Michigan to Nora and Martin Kramer, who are of German descent. She has an elder brother, Steve, who is a sergeant at the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. She speaks some German. Kramer lived in Dearborn for some time after her parents divorced. 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.

## Career
### 2002–2011: Acting career and record deal

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.
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.

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

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, 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.
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. Nationwide had signed Kramer to sing the Nationwide jingle in August 2012. A second commercial, released in April 2014, featured Kramer's character replacing items in a fire-blackened apartment to promote Nationwide's renters' insurance. 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.
In July 2013, Kramer opened for Blake Shelton on his Ten Times Crazier Tour in Virginia Beach, VA. In August 2013, the independent film Approaching Midnight starring Kramer had its world premiere at the Emagine Royal Oak in Michigan.
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). Also in 2024, Kramer competed in season twelve of The Masked Singer as "Royal Knight" and had Savannah Chrisley (who competed in season eleven as "Afghan Hound") serving as her Mask Ambassador. She was eliminated in the "Group C Finals: Peanuts Thanksgiving" alongside Bronson Arroyo as "Sherlock Hound".

## Personal life

Kramer married Michael Gambino in 2004. They divorced several months later, after Kramer suffered severe domestic abuse that led to Gambino's 2005 conviction on attempted murder charges. 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. Their divorce was finalized in June 2011. 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, but ended their relationship in August 2013.
In August 2014, Kramer began dating Washington Redskins tight end Mike Caussin, whom she met on Twitter. She announced just weeks later that they had split because of his infidelity. Shortly after, she publicly forgave him and they reconciled. Kramer and Caussin became engaged in December 2014 on her 31st birthday, and were married on May 22, 2015.
On August 10, 2015, the couple revealed they were expecting their first child. Kramer gave birth to her daughter on January 31, 2016. By August 2016, Kramer and Caussin had separated in the midst of Caussin's admission into rehab for sex addiction. They reconciled the following year and renewed their wedding vows in December 2017. In April 2018, Kramer and Caussin shared their battle with his sex addiction. In July of that year, Kramer announced she was expecting her second child. Kramer gave birth to her first son on November 29, 2018.
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. 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. The divorce was finalized on July 22, 2021.
From September 2021 to October 2021, Kramer dated former Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. From late 2021 to April 2022, Kramer dated fitness trainer and Navy veteran Ian Schinelli.
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. On June 8, 2023, the couple confirmed via Instagram that they are expecting their first child together. Kramer gave birth to her second son on November 13, 2023. Kramer and Russell married on July 13, 2024 in Scotland.

## Filmography
### Film

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

### Television

| 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" |
| 2008 | 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" |
| 2009 | 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 |
| 2016 | Country Crush | Katherine | Television film |
| 2017 | Love at First Bark | Julia | Television film (Hallmark) |
| 2017 | 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) |
| 2021 | The Holiday Fix Up | Sam | Television film (Lifetime); Also executive producer |
| 2022 | Steppin' Into The Holiday | Rae | Television film (Lifetime); Also executive producer |
| 2022 | 72 hours | Anita | Television film (Lifetime) |
| 2023 | Chicago Fire | Melissa Keating | Season 11 Episode 11: "A Guy I Used to Know " |
| 2023 | 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 |
| 2024 | The Masked Singer | Herself/Royal Knight | Season 12 Contestant |

## Dancing with the Stars

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 | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | Judges' scores | 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 | Safe |
| 7 | Samba | "Get Down Tonight" — KC and the Sunshine Band | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 34 | Safe |
| 7 | Freestyle (Team Future) | "Embrace" — Armin van Buuren, feat. Eric Vloeimans | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 35 | Safe |
| 8 | Jazz | "Little Shop of Horrors" — Alan Menken | 9 | — | 9 | 9 | 27 | Safe |
| 8 | Salsa (Dance-off) | "Magic" — Robin Thicke | Winner | Winner | Winner | Winner | 3 | Safe |
| 9 | Waltz | "She Used to Be Mine" — Sara Bareilles | 10 | — | 10 | 10 | 40 | Safe |
| 9 | Contemporary (Team dance) | "Bird Set Free" — Sia | 10 | — | 10 | 10 | 40 | Safe |
| 10 Semifinals | Quickstep | "Go Mama" — Wayne Beckford | 9 | — | 9 | 10 | 28 | Safe |
| 10 Semifinals | Paso doble | "Kill of the Night" — Gin Wigmore | 10 | — | 10 | 10 | 30 | Safe |
| 11 (Finals) | Tango | "Stay the Night" — Zedd, feat. Hayley Williams | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 35 | Eliminated |
| 11 (Finals) | Freestyle | "Unstoppable" — Sia | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 36 | Eliminated |

### Notes

* ↑ Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Julianne Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
* ↑ Jana and Gleb also received a score of 10 from guest judge Pitbull.
* 1 2 Jana and Gleb also received a score of 10 from guest judge Idina Menzel.

## Discography

* Jana Kramer (2012)
* Thirty One (2015)

## Awards and nominations

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