Jana Kramer is speaking out about Blake Lively’s recent comments on domestic violence while promoting her new movie It Ends With Us. The film, which tackles the sensitive and often painful topic of domestic violence, has sparked important conversations, especially after Blake’s statements in interviews.
Blake Lively, who portrays the character Lily Bloom in the movie, has been vocal about her interpretation of the role. In an interview with BBC News, Blake shared her perspective, saying that she believes Lily’s experience with domestic violence does not define her as a person. “She defines herself, and I think that that’s deeply empowering to remind people that no one else can define you. No experience can define you. You define you,” Blake said.
While Blake’s comments were likely intended to empower and inspire, not everyone agrees with her viewpoint—especially those who have lived through domestic violence themselves. Jana Kramer, a singer and actress who has publicly shared her own experiences with domestic violence, was one of the voices that spoke up, expressing her disagreement with Blake’s stance.
Jana opened up about her feelings on the matter during a recent episode of her Whine Down podcast. “I would love the messaging to go to DV with media, instead of talking about riffs and everything else. The movie is about domestic violence,” Jana said, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the core issue rather than the surrounding drama. She expressed disappointment that the conversation seemed to veer away from the heart of the matter—raising awareness and offering support for those affected by domestic violence.
Jana admitted that she hasn’t seen the movie yet, explaining that she finds it challenging to watch films that depict domestic violence due to her own history with it. “I haven’t seen the movie. I have a tough time watching movies that deal with domestic violence given my history with it,” she said.
She also shared that she initially misunderstood the film’s genre based on its promotional materials, thinking it was a romantic comedy rather than a serious drama. “I started hearing stuff about the interviews, and for me, I was just, like, it made me sad because I just want the messaging to be about domestic violence and how to help people and how to get help,” Jana explained. Her disappointment stemmed from the feeling that the true message of the film was getting lost in the promotional buzz.
Jana’s comments reflect a perspective shaped by personal experience, and she made it clear that, for her, domestic violence is not something that can be easily separated from one’s identity. “It’s hard for people to talk about domestic violence when they haven’t, themselves, been, in real life, had the hands of domestic violence on them,” she said, pointing out that those who haven’t lived through such trauma may struggle to fully understand its impact.
“So, for people to say it doesn’t define you, it does define you. … It has made me who I am,” Jana added. She emphasized that, contrary to the idea that one can choose not to be defined by their experiences, domestic violence has been a significant part of her life and identity. “Though people can say, ‘It doesn’t define you,’ it is one of the biggest pieces of me, is domestic violence, and has been the biggest thread in my life,” she continued.
Jana’s powerful words serve as a reminder that for survivors of domestic violence, the impact of their experiences can be profound and long-lasting. While empowerment and self-definition are important, it’s equally vital to acknowledge and validate the reality of what survivors have endured.
Her response to Blake Lively’s comments brings to light the complexity of discussing domestic violence, particularly in the context of film and media. It highlights the need for sensitivity and awareness when addressing such issues, ensuring that the voices of those who have lived through these experiences are heard and respected.
