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Ballerina Farm influencer Hannah Neeleman recently pushed back after a viral profile on her life with eight children in Utah sparked criticism of her "trad wife" lifestyle.
Days after a profile in the Sunday Times portrayed her in a controversial light, Neeleman addressed how her homemaking lifestyle was depicted. "A couple of weeks ago we had a reporter come into our home to learn about our family and business," Hannah narrated in a morning vlog on her Instagram on July 31. "We thought the interview went really well—very similar to the dozens of interviews we had done in recent memory. We were taken back, however, when we saw the printed article—which shocked us and shocked the world by being an attack on our family and my marriage."
The 34-year-old, who shares eight children—Henry, 12, Charles, 10, George, 9, Frances, 7, Lois, 5, Martha, 3, Mabel, 2, and Flora, 6 months—with her husband Daniel Neeleman, expressed her dismay at being depicted as "oppressed, with my husband being the culprit."
In the Sunday Times article, Hannah, who has gained a significant following through videos showcasing her cooking from scratch and caring for her children, was labeled as the "most well-known trad wife," a title she disputes. "This couldn't be further from the truth," she stated in her response video. "Nothing we said in the interview implied this conclusion, which was made to believe the angle taken was predetermined. For Daniel and I, our priority in life is God and family. Everything else comes second."
Hannah emphasized that her relationship with Daniel, 35, is one of equal partnership. "The greatest day of my life was when Daniel and I were married 13 years ago," she said. "Together, we have built a business from scratch, we brought eight children into this world, and have prioritized our marriage all along the way."
The Mrs. American pageant titleholder also highlighted her ambitions and how they align with her priorities as a mother and wife. "We are co-parents, co-CEOs, co-diaper changers, kitchen cleaners, and decision-makers," she explained. "We are one. And I love him more today than I did 13 years ago. We have many dreams to accomplish. We aren't done having babies, we are excited for our new farm store to open, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for the rest of it. But for now, I'm doing what I love most, being a mother, wife, a businesswoman, and a farmer."
Despite the criticism, Hannah Neeleman stands firm in her choices, defending her family's lifestyle and her partnership with her husband, while looking forward to their shared future endeavors.
