8 Shocking Facts About Hannah Neeleman: The Ballerina Farm Influencer's Move To Ireland And 2025 Fame

The Ballerina Farm phenomenon, Hannah Neeleman, continues to captivate and confound millions of followers, with her story taking a dramatic new turn in late 2024 and early 2025. As of December 2025, the social media star, known for her idyllic portrayal of homesteading, has made headlines not just for her perfect sourdough and large family, but for a massive, unexpected relocation across the Atlantic, cementing her status as one of the most talked-about creators of the year.

Hannah Neeleman's life is a masterclass in duality: a Juilliard-trained dancer who traded the New York stage for a Utah farm, a former beauty queen who now slaughters pigs, and a viral sensation whose carefully curated content has sparked both immense admiration and intense controversy. Her recent inclusion on the prestigious 2025 TIME100 Creators List highlights her undeniable influence, making this the perfect time to explore the full, fascinating biography of the woman behind the "Ballerina Farm" brand.

Hannah Neeleman: Full Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Hannah Neeleman (née Wright)
• Known As: Ballerina Farm
• Date of Birth: c. 1990–1991 (Age 34–35 as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: Springville, Utah, USA
• Husband: Daniel Neeleman
• Children: 8 (The Neelemans are known for their large family)
• Education: The Juilliard School (B.F.A. in Dance)
• Pageant Titles:
  • Miss Springville (Won)
  • Miss New York City 2010 (Won)
  • Mrs. Utah 2021 (Won)
  • Mrs. American 2023 (Won)
• Current Residence: Temporarily in Ireland (as of late 2024/2025), originally Kamas, Utah, USA
• Career: Professional Dancer, Social Media Influencer, Farmer/Homesteader, Entrepreneur (Ballerina Farm Meat & Goods)
• Notable Recognition: TIME100 Creators List 2025
• Social Media Followers: Over 10 million on TikTok and millions more on Instagram (as of late 2025)

The Unexpected Journey: From Juilliard Stage to Utah Homestead

Hannah Neeleman's life trajectory is perhaps her most compelling narrative hook. Her early years were dedicated to the demanding world of professional ballet. She secured a coveted spot at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. This intense training is the origin of her famous social media handle, "Ballerina Farm."

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While pursuing her dance career, Neeleman also successfully competed in the pageant circuit, capturing the title of Miss New York City in 2010. Her ability to balance the discipline of ballet with the poise of a beauty queen foreshadowed the complex, multifaceted public persona she would later cultivate. She continued her pageant success years later, winning Mrs. Utah and eventually the national title of Mrs. American in 2023.

The pivotal shift came with her marriage to Daniel Neeleman. The couple decided to leave the urban intensity of New York for the rural landscape of Utah, where they established Ballerina Farm in Kamas. This move was driven by a desire for a life where they could "create, raise a family, and build something of [their] own," focusing on a more traditional, hands-on lifestyle.

The farm quickly became the backdrop for her viral content. Her videos, which juxtapose her graceful movements—often seen making sourdough or milking a cow—with the gritty reality of raising livestock and a large family, struck a chord with millions. The content is aspirational, promoting a return to simple, traditional living and sparking a renewed interest in homesteading and from-scratch cooking.

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Behind the Aesthetics: Controversy and the Neeleman Family Wealth

Despite the beautiful, rustic aesthetic of her feed, Hannah Neeleman and Ballerina Farm have been the subject of significant online controversy. The primary criticism revolves around the perceived inauthenticity and lack of transparency regarding the family's wealth, which critics argue makes their "homesteading" life unattainable for the average follower.

The controversy stems from the fact that Daniel Neeleman is the son of David Neeleman, a prominent entrepreneur who founded several major airlines, including JetBlue, Azul Brazilian Airlines, and Breeze Airways. This family connection suggests that the Ballerina Farm operation was not built from scratch by a struggling farm family, but was rather a passion project backed by substantial generational wealth.

Critics point out that the Neelemans own a sprawling 328-acre property in Utah and that the farm itself is a multi-million dollar business that sells high-end meat, sourdough starter, and merchandise. This has led to accusations of "farm-washing," where the challenging realities of farm life are glossed over to sell a romanticized, polished version of rural living. Hannah Neeleman has largely avoided directly addressing the financial aspect, focusing instead on the positive, inspiring aspects of her family and work.

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The Shocking 2025 Move: Leaving Utah for an Irish Sabbatical

The most recent and attention-grabbing development in the Ballerina Farm story is the Neeleman family's decision to leave their established Utah homestead for a temporary move to Ireland. Announced in late 2024, the relocation was framed as a "sabbatical" or an "adventure" for the family of ten (Hannah, Daniel, and their eight children).

This move has generated immense curiosity and speculation among her millions of followers. The idea of uprooting a massive farming operation and a large family to move across the pond for an indefinite period is a significant undertaking. The family has begun documenting their life in Ireland, which provides a fresh, new backdrop for their content, shifting the focus from the familiar Utah mountains to the green Irish countryside. This change of scenery has helped keep the Ballerina Farm brand fresh and relevant, a necessary move for an influencer whose success relies on perpetual engagement.

The Irish adventure, while temporary, shows Hannah Neeleman's commitment to creating compelling, high-production content. It also allows her to explore new themes, such as travel, cultural immersion, and the challenges of adapting to a new environment, injecting new life into her already successful platform. Her inclusion on the 2025 TIME100 Creators List is a testament to her continued ability to influence and drive conversation in the digital space.