Teen star Kendra Kramer has spoken out against the online hate and wrongful speculations directed at her family, particularly her parents, Doug and Cheska Kramer.
In a lengthy Instagram statement, the young model and student-athlete expressed her disappointment over the criticism her family has received online while addressing speculations about her parents’ approach to raising her and her siblings.
Kendra firmly asserted that she decided to speak up on her own and that her statement was not influenced by her parents.
“I wanted to come out and say that, from a daughter’s point of view, it is very sad and disappointing to see all the hate and negativity about our family and most especially my parents,” she wrote.
“I wanted to say how much I love my parents. How amazing they are and how much they support me,” she added, saying that seeing people online bash the figures she looks up to has made her “extremely sad and very frustrated.”
Kendra also addressed claims that her parents pushed her into show business or took advantage of her.
According to her, entering the industry was a decision she made herself after her parents asked if it was truly something she wanted.
“My parents have spoken to me before and asked if I truly wanted to be in the show business world. They asked if it was something I wanted. And I said yes. Wholeheartedly, I love modeling and I love doing it with my family. My parents have never ever taken advantage of me,” she said.
She likewise denied claims that her parents are controlling her life, explaining that she maintains her own social life through sports and friendships.
“I have my own social life—with my sports and with my friends. They are NOT controlling parents, only caring ones who want the best for me and my siblings,” Kendra said.
She added that her parents enrolled her in a regular school and allow her to spend time with her friends, while also supporting her passion for swimming.
“Please do not come out and say my parents are controlling my life, they care about me and I stand by that,” she stressed.
Kendra went on to defend her father against rumors circulating online, describing him as “the most generous, most kind, and most protective person” she knows.
“Respectfully, you guys do not know anything about him personally for you guys to be spreading such intense rumors online about him. I ask him to come with me to all my events because I want him to be with me,” she affirmed her father’s role in her projects.
She explained that she often asks her father to accompany her to events because she is introverted and feels more comfortable and secure having her parents by her side, especially since she is still a minor.
Kendra also praised her mother, describing Cheska as “the most God-fearing, kind-hearted, and humble person” she knows.
Ending her statement, the young Kramer asserted her love for her family and asked people to stop spreading negativity about them.
“My parents are my role models in my life. They are the happiest, most loving couple I know. I pray one day I may find a relationship like theirs,” she wrote. “We are not a perfect family, but we put Christ in the center of all our lives. Please stop the negativity and hate. It hurts me to see the people I love getting spoken about like this online.”
“My parents are the greatest people I know and I love my family to the bottom of my heart,” Kendra concluded.
