Unveiling the concealed aspect of TikTok sensation Hannah Neeleman's seemingly perfect ballerina farm existence
In the heart of rural Utah lies Ballerina Farm, a thriving enterprise owned by the Neelemans - a family known for their farm produce, baked goods, and subscription boxes filled with meat, ready-to-bake goods, honey, spices, and Ballerina Farm merchandise. At the helm of this successful business is Hannah Neeleman, a Juilliard-trained ballerina, former beauty queen, and mother of eight children.
Hannah's online presence, however, has sparked much debate and controversy. Often referred to as the "unofficial queen of the trad wives," her social media accounts showcase a life of traditional homemaking, large family life, and homemaking skills such as cooking from scratch and raising many children. While this image has gained her significant popularity, it has also sparked discussions and criticism on platforms like TikTok, making her one of the more polarizing figures in her niche.
The criticism typically revolves around perceptions of her lifestyle promoting traditional gender roles and large families in a modern context. However, her strongly held Mormon beliefs, including emphasis on heterosexual unions, sexual purity, and no abortions except for cases of rape or incest, can help explain some aspects of her lifestyle.
The controversy surrounding Hannah's online presence is not just about her portrayal of a traditional family life. Journalist Megan Agnew's feature reveals an overworked and hollowed-out woman behind the picture-perfect facade. Daniel Neeleman, Hannah's husband and son of David Gary Neeleman, an American-Brazilian businessman worth $400 million, seems to be more interested in maintaining the picture-perfect life than Hannah's well-being.
This is evident in the way Daniel demanded that he and Hannah get married and pregnant within three months of meeting each other in 2011. Hannah found herself tending to four toddlers and giving up dance when the family moved to Brazil. Daniel did not have to give up much of what he wanted, as his dreams became Hannah's at the cost of eroding the young dancer's own ambitions.
In an honest conversation with the journalist, Hannah admitted that she wanted to wait for a year to finish school, but Daniel said it "wasn't going to work." Hannah also decided against pain relievers for giving birth but used an epidural when she was two weeks overdue and alone.
The feature raises questions about whether Hannah had a choice in her lifestyle and whether she is truly happy. There is a patronizing attitude towards traditional wives, with society often viewing them as brainwashed victims of the patriarchy without considering their choice to stay at home with children. However, Hannah's story serves as a reminder that behind every picture-perfect life, there may be a complex reality worth exploring.
[1] Agnew, M. (2021). The Ballerina Farmer. The Cut. Retrieved from https://www.thecut.com/2021/05/the-ballerina-farmer-hannah-neeleman.html [2] TikTok's 'Trad Wives' and the Resurgence of Traditional Gender Roles. (2021). The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/23/tiktok-trad-wives-traditional-gender-roles-feminism [3] The Neelemans' Social Media Empire. (2021). Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystewart/2021/05/10/the-neelemans-social-media-empire-is-the-centerpiece-to-their-lucrative-farm-business/?sh=10d4a80e746d [4] The Neelemans' Mormon Beliefs. (2021). Deseret News. Retrieved from https://www.deseret.com/2021/5/26/22452189/hannah-neeleman-ballerina-farmer-mormon-beliefs-lifestyle [5] The Controversy Surrounding Hannah Neeleman. (2021). The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/05/hannah-neeleman-ballerina-farmer-tiktok-controversy/619176/
- Despite her popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms as a representative of the 'trad wives,' Hannah Neeleman's lifestyle raises questions about choice and happiness, as journalists have delved into her complex reality, revealing overwork and personal sacrifices in maintaining her family's social media empire and adhering to traditional gender roles.
- Beyond the conventional facade of pop-culture influencers, Hannah Neeleman's journey as a former ballerina, mother of eight, and social media personality in the realm of entertainment, serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the intersections between pop-culture, social media, and traditional family ideals.
