“He was joking”—Jana Kramer clears the air about husband Allan Russell’s comments claiming he banned her from doing intimate scenes
Jana Kramer has spoken about her husband Allan Russell’s remarks regarding her acting choices, specifically intimate scenes on screen. Speaking to E! News on Friday, June 6, 2025, Jana Kramer defended Russell and cleared the air about his comments.
"He was joking. There’s a conversation with every [job] we take. It’s the same thing with his line of work. That’s what marriage is- it’s a conversation. It’s not like, ‘No, you cannot do this.’ I don’t think that’s healthy,” she said.
The controversy began on December 8, 2024, when footballer and EFL set-piece coach, Allan Russell, joined Kramer on her Whine Down podcast. In the episode, he said he would “never, ever, ever allow” another man to be that close to his wife in an intimate scene. Russell allegedly doubled down when asked if he’d make exceptions for a show like Yellowstone. He mentioned:
“I’ll be, like, phoning the producers and threatening the producers [like], ‘You need to change that scene. For the good of your health, you need to change this scene.'"
He added that filming intimate scenes is not "healthy" for a relationship, and that his discomfort comes from the fact that he is not in the acting world.
"That’s not good for a marriage, that type of role, it’s not, especially [for] a man who’s not in the acting world. It’s difficult. So, therefore, that’s my opinion based on [the fact that] I’m not in that world,” Russell said.
More about Jana Kramer's response
During the latest interview with E! News on June 6, 2025, Jana Kramer came in support of Russell saying that he was only "joking" in the 2024 podcast episode. The 41-year-old actress added that she and Russell respect each other’s professions and always discuss boundaries. She further mentioned:
“I’m not going to do something that is wildly taking my clothes off for no reason. But if it’s important for the role, he is so supportive.”
She stressed that they make their decisions after indulging in open, honest discussions, as "that's what marriage is."
Previously, Allan Russell had responded to the reaction he received on his comments back in 2024. Just a week after the backlash, Russell returned to Whine Down on December 18 to clarify his remarks and the narrative that had quickly taken off. Acknowledging how his words may have come across, Russell explained that his initial reaction was rooted in emotional honesty, not control.
“If the opportunity is good for your career, then it’s clearly a marital discussion.”
He made it clear that he always respects Jana Kramer’s decisions and doesn’t try to dictate her career choices, adding:
“And listen, if you feel it’s good for your career, then I’m never gonna hold you back from doing something. You know that.”
Read more: Everything to know about Yellowstone spinoffs: 1883, 1923, and more
Details about Jana Kramer and Allan Russell's relationship
Jana Kramer also discussed how her relationship with Russell has changed her life in the same E! News interview. After a public divorce from NFL player Mike Caussin, with whom she shares two kids, Jolie and Jace, Kramer said she was often distracted by anxiety. She told the publication:
“I do owe a lot of [my recent success] to my husband. I wasn’t able to truly settle and be confident.”
With Russell, she said she feels "supported and loved" in a way that lets her focus on her work, most recently in the film Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story.
The couple, who got engaged in May 2023, welcomed their first child, Roman, in November 2023, and married in July 2024. Kramer jokingly added that Russell calls himself her “lucky charm.”
“And he is. It’s been great.”
In other news, Jana Kramer takes on the lead role in Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story. It is a Lifetime original movie which premiered on June 7 at 8 pm ET. The film is based on the real-life story of Heather Robinson, who was abducted as a child and later uncovered shocking truths about her past.
