Jana Kramer Joins ‘One Tree Hill’ Cast Accusations of Sexual Misconduct Against Showrunner
The country singer, who played in the role of Alex Dupre on the teen drama, signed on with writer Audrey Wauchope and others in a penned statement to Variety claiming that showrunner Mark Schwahn created a hostile environment through actions of sexual misconduct.
Jana Kramer is taking a stand alongside her former One Tree Hill co-stars as the group accused a showrunner from the series of sexual harassment throughout the years of filming.
The country singer, who played in the role of Alex Dupre on the teen drama, signed on with writer Audrey Wauchope and others in a penned statement to Variety claiming that showrunner Mark Schwahn created a hostile environment through actions of sexual misconduct. The 18 men and women involved in the accusation make it clear that it was his traumatizing acts that led them to speak out in light of the times.
“Mark Schwahn’s behavior over the duration of the filming of One Tree Hill was something of an ‘open secret.’ Many of us were, to varying degrees, manipulated psychologically and emotionally. More than one of us is still in treatment for post-traumatic stress. Many of us were put in uncomfortable positions and had to swiftly learn to fight back, sometimes physically, because it was made clear to us that the supervisors in the room were not the protectors they were supposed to be. Many of us were spoken to in ways that ran the spectrum from deeply upsetting, to traumatizing, to downright illegal. And a few of us were put in positions where we felt physically unsafe. More than one woman on our show had her career trajectory threatened,” the letter explained in detail.
Many of the One Tree Hill cast members even expressed their feelings on Twitter, with mainstay Sophia Bush retweeting the Variety post with hashtags in support of the allegations, including #BurnItDownSis #F—YourSorry and #BelieveWomen.
Currently, Schwahn holds the title of showrunner for the E! drama, The Royals. They released an official statement as a response to the One Tree Hill letter stating, “We are monitoring the information carefully. E!, Universal Cable Productions and Lionsgate Television are committed to providing a safe working environment in which everyone is treated respectfully and professionally.”
Kramer has spoken out about facing sexual harassment in the entertainment previously when she revealed that a former agent almost made her quit show business until her mom reassured that she should fight for what she loves rather than have it ruined by some appalling actions.
“I had a man helping me in the very beginning when I was 19, and he was like, ‘OK, I’ve done this for you. What are you going to do for me?’ And I remember in that moment being like, ‘Oh, my God! I am going to have to sleep with this man in order to fulfill my dreams.’ I ended up just bawling, crying, and having a panic attack, and he left. I called my mom and I was like, ‘I’m coming home. I’m going back to Michigan.’ And she’s like, ‘The hell you are!’ She said, ‘Don’t let a man try and take something away from you like that. Be the bigger person. Fight back,’” Kramer previously revealed.
The country singer also stands up for herself in her latest single, “I’ve Done Love,” which fans can find on streaming services now.
