Jana Kramer Ditches Stepmom Label, Embraces ‘Cool Friend’ Role
Sure, because what the world needed was another take on celebrity step-parenting—here’s Jana Kramer preaching “friend over mom” vibes. During the June 18 episode of iHeartRadio’s Whine Down with Jana Kramer, the One Tree Hill alum confessed she’s more of a “cool friend” than a traditional stepmom to her husband Allan Russell’s teenage son, Troy. She spilled that Troy already has “an amazing mom” and insists she’s “just here as a friend and support,” not to swoop in and play authority figure. Trust us, your skepticism meter should be pegged.
Kramer, who shares candidly about her own messy family origins, admitted she’s painfully aware of that awkward moment when new partners parachute into kids’ lives—she remembers telling her dad back then, “I’m not looking for another mom.” Naturally, she’s tiptoed around any pushy stepmom clichés, mindful that Troy’s teenage instincts likely recoil at the idea of a “replacement parent.” In her own words, she “doesn’t get to see him as much” as she’d like, but she’s determined to remain a consistent presence—minus the bonus lectures.
If you’ve been keeping score, Kramer is juggling Jolie, 9, and Jace, 6—her brood with ex Mike Caussin—alongside son Roman, 19 months, with former pro soccer player Allan Russell. Because nothing screams marriage prep like a half-dozen combined parental responsibilities and the occasional impulse to post every milestone on Instagram. Speaking of which, Allan can’t hide his approval. He gushed that Troy confides in Jana in ways he won’t in his own dad, praising her knack for “stability and safety.” The man’s basically handing out a gold star every time his stepson cracks a smile around her.
And if you hung around social media lately, you’d know this blended clan poses like the poster family at Stirling Castle in Scotland, mere weeks before their July 2024 wedding. Earlier celebrations included Easter snuggles with baby Roman, Fourth of July adventures in Michigan, and a Toy Story–themed Halloween that felt more marketing campaign than haunted house. There were sun-drenched boating trips with Jolie, first-day-of-school jitters immortalized on Instagram Stories, and yes, the obligatory Christmas morning snowball fights—flu and ear infections notwithstanding.
So there you have it: the low-stakes saga of Jana Kramer’s stepmom reinvention. Nothing too scandalous, plenty of staged smiles, and a whole lot of “friendship” to soften the edges. And that’s your front-row ticket to deciding whether this brand of modern motherhood really breaks the mold—or just recasts the same old script in trendier fashion. That’s today’s dose of reality. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, iHeartRadio’s Whine Down with Jana Kramer podcast
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
