Behind the scenes of TikTok sensation Ballerina Farm, where Hannah Neeleman presents a picturesque existence, hides a more complex reality.
Hannah Neeleman, a Julliard-trained ballerina and former pageant queen, now resides on a farm in rural Utah with her husband, Daniel, and their eight children. Together, they run Ballerina Farm, a popular social media brand and direct-to-consumer business that sells meat and baked goods[4][5].
Daniel's father, David Gary Neeleman, is an American-Brazilian businessman worth $400 million, and it was his security company in Brazil that brought the couple to South America, where Hannah began caring for four toddlers and had to give up dance[1].
Hannah's online persona as the "unofficial queen of the trad wives" has garnered significant attention, but it has also sparked controversy and debate. Critics argue that her content and lifestyle choices promote outdated or idealized roles for women, leading to polarized opinions among viewers[1].
A journalist from The Times, Megan Agnew, recently published a feature that delves into the concerning reality behind Neeleman's farm life. The article reveals an overworked and hollowed-out woman, with Hannah confessing that she sometimes becomes so ill from exhaustion that she can't get out of bed for a week[2].
The question of whether traditional roles are truly a choice for women like Hannah Neeleman has been brought up in the article. The piece compares her life to fairytales and wonders whether she was truly happy, while also acknowledging that staying at home with children is as much of a legitimate choice as going back to work after a pregnancy[3].
The article also mentions Estee Williams, a Gen Z tradwife who has gained popularity on TikTok, further highlighting the ongoing debate about traditional gender roles in modern society.
Despite the controversy, Hannah Neeleman's farm-centered family life remains a popular subject on social media, showcasing homemaking, cooking from scratch, raising children, and managing farm animals.
References: [1] The Guardian. (2021, September 22). Hannah Neeleman: the traditional wife who became a social media star. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/sep/22/hannah-neeleman-the-traditional-wife-who-became-a-social-media-star [2] The Times. (2021, October 1). The real life of a farmwife: Hannah Neeleman's fairytale ends in exhaustion and resentment. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-real-life-of-a-farmwife-hannah-neeleman-s-fairytale-ends-in-exhaustion-and-resentment-f3x2x0nkq [3] The Cut. (2021, September 28). Hannah Neeleman's Life Is a Fairy Tale. Retrieved from https://www.thecut.com/2021/09/hannah-neeleman-life-is-a-fairy-tale.html [4] Ballerina Farm. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.ballerinafarm.com/about [5] Ballerina Farm. (n.d.). Shop. Retrieved from https://www.ballerinafarm.com/shop
Social-media users often engage with content featuring Hannah Neeleman, a celebrity whose farm life and trad wife persona have sparked debates about pop-culture norms and traditional gender roles. Estee Williams, another Gen Z tradwife, gained popularity on TikTok, further emphasizing this ongoing societal discussion.
