We Now Know Why People Don’t Want To Work With January Jones

January Jones found success as Betty Draper on Mad Men. Unfortunately, her reputation has been plagued by rumors about her demeanor on set, her manners at events, and homewrecker allegations. While there’s surely more to almost every story and opinion about her, it could be a case of where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Jared Gilmore, who played Jones’ son, Bobby Draper on Mad Men, left for a part on Once Upon a Time. In an August 2011 TV Guide interview, the young actor shared advice for his Mad Men replacement. He remarked, “Be careful around January [Jones]. She’s not as approachable as the others. She’s really serious about what she does. Everyone else is so nice.”

In August 2011, John Slattery, who played Roger Sterling on the hit show, attributed Gilmore’s impression of Jones to her character, telling E! News, “I mean, that’s the character. Betty Draper is an intimidating woman I suppose, if you were a 7-year-old boy [or] her son.” When asked if she was a “diva,” Slattery promised, “No, she’s a sweetheart.”

In a May 2011 ShortList interview, Zach Galifianakis responded to Jones calling him “the most naturally funny man.” He shared, “[I]f I remember correctly, she and I were very rude to each other.” They talked at a party until she allegedly said, “I think it’s time for you to leave now.” Galifianakis claims he replied, “‘January, you are an actress in a show and everybody’s going to forget about you in a few years, so f***ing be nice,’ and I got up and left.”

January Jones has been labeled as a ‘homewrecker’ multiple times

January Jones has been the subject of multiple homewrecking allegations. In June 2018, Radar Online reported that Jones had a fling with Mad Man co-star John Hamm shortly after he and Jennifer Westfeldt called it quits in 2015. Us Weekly claimed that the couple split because Hamm wanted children while Westfeldt did not — not because he was getting cozy with his onscreen wife.

The rumors about an affair with Bobby Flay were much more damning, fueled by Flay’s then-wife Stephanie March. A source told In Touch Weekly (via the Daily Mail) that March claimed they “had sex many times and in different places, including the London Hotel in Los Angeles.” Jones’ 2010 car crash added to those adultery rumors. She chose to call Flay and he showed up at the scene of the accident, which was photographed by TMZ in June 2010. The chef told TMZ that he didn’t really know Jones, insisting they only met once before. Then again, why would he show up if he barely knew her?

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth initially broke off their engagement in September 2013. This was after Hemsworth was allegedly spotted hooking up with January Jones. This was never publicly addressed by anyone involved, but the allegations didn’t do Jones any favors.

While none of these claims have anything to do with Jones as an actress, they have impacted the public perception of her, which could affect the success of any project she’s associated with.

January Jones complains about the opportunities she’s been given

In an August 204 GQ UK interview, January Jones claimed, “My manager keeps pestering me — they’re probably getting frustrated. I keep saying, ‘No, no, no’ to all these offers. But I like reading and I have a particular eye; I won’t take anything for a quick buck.” Jones admitted, “I’m kind of stuck in limbo.”

The actress also remarked, “The offers I’m getting aren’t the ones I want. The ones I want are being given to Natalie Portman.” She concluded, “Still, I can bide my time. I’m good at being patient, staying silent.” Perhaps it’s less about the people who don’t want to work with Jones and more about the people that Jones has decided not to work with.

Additionally, Jones explained that looking for acting roles wasn’t her biggest priority during an 2013 Glamour UK interview. She admitted, “I love my job, but if I don’t have to work, I get very excited.” She added, “I like to be lazy and do nothing. I’m lucky because Mad Men is a steady job that affords me to be choosy in my film career.”

She continued, “It allows me to not feel so hungry that I have to take movie after movie. I can choose films that I’m really touched by, and if it ever becomes not fun, then I won’t do it anymore.”

So maybe Jones just hasn’t come across a film role that she’s “really touched by” lately.