MANILA, Philippines — Kendra Kramer is pushing back against online claims that her parents, Doug and Chesca Kramer, are controlling her life and career, saying she chose to pursue modeling and show business and that her parents have never taken advantage of her.
In a statement posted on Instagram Sunday, the 17-year-old eldest Kramer daughter addressed criticism and online discussions accusing her parents of overexposing their children and benefiting from her career.
“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,” Kendra wrote.
“My parents have never ever taken advantage of me,” she added.
Kendra added she has her own social life, attends a regular school, spends time with friends and participates in sports, countering the perception that her parents dictate her activities.
“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,” she wrote.
She also explained why her father is frequently seen accompanying her at events. According to Kendra, she personally asks Doug to come because his presence makes her feel comfortable and secure.
“I ask him to come with me to all my events because I want him to be with me. I am introverted and having my parents by my side in events gives me comfort and security, especially because I am a minor,” she said.
Kendra described her father as “the most generous, most kind, and most protective person” she knows, while her mother is the “most God-fearing, kind-hearted, and humble person.”
“Respectfully, you guys do not know anything about him personally..: to be spreading such intense rumors online about him,” she wrote.
“My parents did not tell me to write this. I’m doing it of my own accord,” Kendra added.
The teenager said she was particularly hurt by the criticism because of how highly she regards her parents.
“I wanted to say how much I love my parents. How amazing they are and how much they support me. I truly do not know how I could be the kind of Christ-like daughter I am without the guidance of my mom and my dad,” she wrote.
“They put me in regular school, they let me go out and enjoy with my friends, and most of all, my dad and my mom guide me with my sports,” she said.
She ended her statement by asking people to stop directing hate toward her family.
“My parents are my role models in my life. They are the happiest, most loving couple I know,” 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,” she added.
Several celebrities voiced their support for Kendra and the Kramer family in the comments section.
Anne Curtis praised her for standing up for her parents, saying she was “so proud” of the teenager and that Doug and Chesca were “so lucky to have you.”
Hayden Kho described Doug and Chesca as “God-fearing people who take their parenting seriously” and “outstanding role models for the youth and for couples.”
Denise Laurel, meanwhile, said the Kramer family continues to inspire her “to be a better parent and child of God,” while Patricia Javier called them her “favorite Team Kramer family” and thanked them for being an inspiration to Filipino families.
Doug responded to his daughter's statement with, “I love you Kendra. Made me cry,” while Chesca wrote, “Love you, Ate!”
