Jana Kramer has candidly shared her mixed emotions regarding her upcoming wedding to fiancé Allan Russell, especially given her history of three previous marriages. Speaking on her podcast, *Whine Down with Jana Kramer*, the 40-year-old actor reflected on her journey and the feelings of embarrassment she has had to contend with.
Kramer, who shares a six-month-old baby named Roman with Russell, opened up about her fears of public judgment as she prepares for her fourth marriage. “The comments of the people that are going to come in and go: ‘You know this is your fourth time,’” she said. “I’m like: ‘You have no idea…’ But like: ‘So what, I’m getting married these many times.’”
Her first marriage was to actor Johnathon Schaech in 2010, but it ended just a month later, with the divorce finalized in 2011. Prior to Schaech, Kramer married Michael Gambino in 2004 at the young age of 19. That marriage was tragically marred by severe domestic abuse, leading to Gambino’s conviction for attempted murder and a six-year prison sentence. He later died in 2012. Kramer’s most recent marriage was to NFL player Mike Caussin, with whom she shares two children, seven-year-old Jolie and four-year-old Jace. The couple divorced in 2021 after numerous public allegations of infidelity against Caussin.
Addressing her failed marriages, Kramer expressed her frustration and sorrow over being judged for them. “I don’t even know if it’s so much the hate, but I think it’s the failure, and this is actually gonna get me like emotional,” she said. “But it’s like, do you think I wanted to be married that many times? Truly… it’s embarrassing.” She emphasized that her marriages were not intended to end in failure, particularly her union with Caussin. “I always say, I’ve been married once, which was with Mike, and do people honestly think that I wanted to not be in that marriage?” she asked. “Like I did not want my husband to cheat on me countless times. I would have loved to have been married to him.”
Despite the past, Kramer now finds solace and happiness in her relationship with Russell. She acknowledges the significance of their love, which she says feels right and healthy compared to her previous relationships. “I’m now grateful for what I have with Allan, since my relationship with Mike wasn’t right,” she stated. Kramer reiterated her decision to divorce Caussin and her commitment to seeking true love. “I would not have stayed for that many years affair after affair,” she explained. “I don’t want that, but I do want love, you know. And that’s the piece too, even with the upcoming wedding. There’s an embarrassment with it, and people don’t know the whole story.”
Kramer has been vocal about her newfound joy with Russell, describing their relationship as one built on mutual trust and respect. After announcing their engagement in May 2023, Russell appeared on Kramer’s podcast to discuss their rapid yet meaningful courtship. He shared that he knew he wanted to propose “pretty much from the moment” he met Kramer, attributing his decision to the strong connection they felt. “If something feels right in your heart and your soul then I think you should follow it,” he said. “We trust each other, it’s built on respect for each other.” He added that their engagement, although it came after just six months of dating, felt natural and not rushed.
As Kramer prepares for her fourth marriage, she does so with a mixture of excitement and apprehension, aware of the judgments that may come but focused on the love and respect she shares with Russell. Her story is a testament to resilience and the pursuit of happiness despite the scars of the past.