What Is The Ripped From The Headlines Story Behind Lifetime's 'Soccer Mom Madam'? (2024)

Lifetime’s Summer of Secrets Soccer Mom Madam is actually a Ripped From The Headlines movie. Starring One Tree Hill’s Jana Kramer, what do we know about the real-life story behind this cautionary tale?

What Is The Ripped From The Headlines Story Behind Lifetime’s Soccer Mom Madam?

The upcoming Lifetime Summer of Secrets movie, Soccer Mom Madam, tells the story of a single mother who starts a high-class prostitution business. This movie stars Jana Kramer (A Welcome Home Christmas, Friday Night Lights). But did you know that this is Ripped From The Headlines, and true story?

According to the Times Herald-Recorder, Anna Gristina was once called the “Monroe Madam,” “Millionaire Madam,” and “Soccer Mom Madam.” Although Gristina now lives a quiet life with her husband Joe, her pet pigs, and a dog, she is the heroine of this real-life cautionary tale.

She operated a $2,000-per-hour escort service. They catered to those who could afford this sort of debauchery: “rich and powerful men.” When she was caught, she was arrested and her bail was set at an astonishing $1 million cash, or $2 million bail bond. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office just wanted her to name names.

This resulted in her in spending four months in jail on the notorious Riker’s Island. Eventually, an appeal allowed for more reasonable bail and she was out.

Eventually, she did plead guilty to “promoting prostitution, although her lawyer “characterized” her business as a “dating service.” However, she didn’t name names then, and still keeps mum about her high-profile clientele. She considers loyalty “very important.”

Lifetime Movie VS Real Life

Moreover, although this is now a Lifetime movie, Gristina cannot discuss the criminal case. That is because she has “filed a misconduct complaint against the judge.” In addition, she claims there was “prosecutorial misconduct,” and has filed an appeal. Despite these legal obstacles, she did consult with Lifetime for Soccer Mom Madam.

The basic synopsis of the movie is that Anna (Jana Kramer) loses all financial support from her ex-husband. Soon, Anna begins working for her cousin’s massage parlor. Eventually, Anna branches out on her own. She pairs up wealthy and influential men with beautiful, young women, in a high-price escort business.

For years, she pockets millions of dollars. However, when the FBI is looking to take down one of Anna’s clients, the shocking truth is exposed.

As always, television is always a bit different. In real life, Gristina has four children, although the tv movie has two. Gristina is now on husband number five, while in the Lifetime version, Anna has had two husbands.

Gristina admits she “learned the ropes” working the phones at her cousin’s massage parlor. She took on that job when she escaped an abusive ex. Anna insists that if she did not do this work, she would have lost her kids.

Most of all, she contends that there are “accurate portrayals.” She cites that when she did get abducted off of the street by the police, she really thought she was going to be “whacked by the mafia.”

Far from NYC, once-notorious "Monroe Madam" mom reinvents herself https://t.co/u7rrZqU7WM

— Times Herald-Record (@recordonline) June 2, 2021

What Does Jana Kramer Say About Playing Lead In Soccer Mom Madam?

Actress Jana Kramer was very thoughtful on how she played Anna Gristina in Lifetime’s Soccer Mom Madam. She told KGET that she kept the focus on “the kids.” She did not feel the need to play Anna “exactly.”

“I wanted people to see that she was just doing the best she could.”

Set your reminder, because the premiere of #SoccerMomMadam is ONE WEEK away! 👠⚽️ @kramergirl pic.twitter.com/6s1l6LoILs

— Lifetime (@lifetimetv) May 30, 2021

When Can You Watch Lifetime’s Soccer Mom Madam?

Be sure to catch Soccer Mom Madam on Sunday, June 6, at 8 p.m. Eastern, on the Lifetime Channel. This is part of the Summer of Secrets series.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts

Georgia Makitalo

With over a decade of writing experience, Georgia Makitalo specializes in romcoms, westerns, and cosy mysteries. In her free time she enjoys traveling, hiking with her Siberian Husky, looking at the stars with her hubby, and researching Pre-Raphaelite art.

Latest posts by Georgia Makitalo (see all)

  • When Will ‘NCIS’ Air Ducky/David McCallum Tribute? - February 13, 2024
  • What Is Latest ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ News From Hallmark? - February 12, 2024
  • ‘NCIS’ Season 21: Tim McGee’s Life Will Suddenly Get Bigger - February 12, 2024
What Is The Ripped From The Headlines Story Behind Lifetime's 'Soccer Mom Madam'? (2024)

FAQs

What Is The Ripped From The Headlines Story Behind Lifetime's 'Soccer Mom Madam'? ›

The suburban soccer mom originally from Scotland was charged by the Manhattan district attorney's office with a single count of promoting prostitution, a charge that followed a multi-year investigation into her dealings with high-level clients she says she refused to name.

Where is Anna Gristina now? ›

Nine years after her name was splashed in lurid headlines across the world, Anna Gristina lives a quiet life, still on the same out-of-the-way Monroe property, with her pigs and a dog. her husband Joe, and the youngest of her four children, Nick, now 18. Her other three kids are grown now.

What is the meaning of soccer mom? ›

soccer mom. noun. US a woman who devotes much of her spare time to her children's activities, typically driving them to and from sports events in which they are involved.

What is the soccer mom trope? ›

The phrase "soccer mom" generally refers to a married, American, middle-class woman who lives in the suburbs and has school-age children. She is sometimes portrayed in the media as busy or overburdened and driving a minivan or SUV.

Is Anna Gristina married? ›

The website says they need donations to help "bring her back to us." "The children are distraught," Gristina's husband, Kelvin Gorr, told The New York Post, saying that Gristina's 17-year-old son Stefano's high-school graduation is fast approaching.

Who did Anna Gristina marry? ›

Gristina has four children and lives in Monroe, N.Y., with husband Kelvin Gorr.

How much time did Anna Gristina get? ›

(AP) NEW YORK - Anna Gristina, a suburban New York mother of four who pleaded guilty to promoting prostitution, has been released following a sentence of time served. Gristina got six months in jail Tuesday and five years of probation.

What is the male version of a soccer mom? ›

A soccer mom is defined as a middle classes woman who takes her kids to soccer practices or games. The same would be with a “soccer dad” but instead of middle classes woman it would be middle classes man.

Where was soccer mom filmed? ›

Production. The film was shot in, and takes place in, Los Angeles and its surrounding areas between February 12 and March 10, 2008, on a budget of 3.5 million dollars.

What is a soccer mom look? ›

Somewhere between the extremes of a crop top with denim shorts and a maxi dress (we've seen some of the guides out there) lies the school attire soccer mom. She's cool, she's chic, but has spirit. Long to midi length denim skirt with the team t-shirt for your favorite team.

What is a soccer mom outfit? ›

Soccer mom outfits are the perfect blend of practicality and style, designed to keep you looking fab while you cheer from the sidelines. These outfits are your go-to for not just game days but also school runs, grocery shopping, and casual hangouts.

What is BBQ dad vs soccer mom? ›

Ellis Underhill, sophom*ore, dressed up as a BBQ Dad for this spirit day, “I was a BBQ Dad because I thought it was funny, and seeing everyone else's BBQ Dad and Soccer Mom outfits made me laugh a lot.” People who had chosen to dress up as a BBQ Dad generally wore an apron and had some sort of grilling utensil, while ...

What do soccer moms were? ›

a mother who spends a lot of time taking her children to activities such as music classes, sports, etc. It is often used to refer to a type of middle-class mother.

Where is Anna Gristina from? ›

Prosecutors alleged that Gristina, who grew up in Kirkliston, West Lothian, made £6 million from running a vice ring for affluent and influential men in New York's Upper East Side.

Where was Anna Gristina born? ›

Gristina, who was born in Scotland and is a British citizen with U.S. residency, is being held in Rikers Island on $2 million bond, charged with promoting prostitution.

Where did Anna Gristina live? ›

Gristina, (with her husband Kevin Gorr and son Nicholes Gorr) has lived largely out of the limelight, on a pig farm in upstate Monroe. Gristina got five years of probation after admitting to running a brothel out of an Upper East Side apartment.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 6338

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.