artificial insemination kit for humans
I was completely captivated by LuLaRoe. Seriously, those leggings were the coziest items I had ever worn. Before I finally stopped, I had amassed around 30 pairs of leggings along with various other items, spending nearly $2000 on LuLaRoe merchandise. Now? Most of it is gone; I donated nearly everything, keeping only a few pieces. Honestly, a woman in her 30s doesn’t need leggings adorned with milkshakes.
In 2017, the downfall of LuLaRoe and its “buttery soft” leggings empire became a major story. Quality control problems (think leggings tearing like wet paper, moldy stock, and, my personal favorite, seams that created unintended shapes) led many to recognize the inevitable collapse. Buy, Sell, Trade groups transformed into GOBO (going-out-of-business) forums, with consultants selling their stock at discount prices just to break even. It was an epic disaster, and while observing a pyramid scheme’s demise was entertaining, my heart went out to some of the consultants—particularly the lower-tier ones who ended up deeper in debt than when they began.
Amazon Prime Video’s ‘LuLaRich’ is a four-part docuseries that dives deep into the company’s origins and the ruin brought on by its own success. As a former LuLaRoe enthusiast, I had to check it out. Let me tell you, it was a wild ride. Here are my impressions.
Deanne and Mark Stidham are Absolutely Bonkers
These two are like the Mormon version of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, with Deanne’s heavily made-up eyelashes to match. It’s commendable that they sat down to share their perspective, but the revelations were shocking.
The Stidhams have a bizarre family dynamic, with a total of about 14 children, not counting in-laws. One of Deanne’s sons (who I believe is adopted) is even married to one of the daughters they adopted together. I was lost for words when I learned that. What in the fried chicken is going on?
Setting aside the odd family connections, Deanne and Mark Stidham are utterly perplexing. It’s difficult to tell if they are genuinely eccentric or just playing into some character. Regardless, it’s hard to comprehend what you’re witnessing when they’re onscreen. It’s amusing to laugh at them until the narrative shifts to the darker aspects of LuLaRoe, and suddenly they morph into sinister figures, leaving you with emotional whiplash.
‘LuLaRich’ includes video testimonies from when the Stidhams, along with two of Deanne’s sons and a nephew, had to testify in court after the state of Washington sued them for operating a pyramid scheme. Deanne appears even more clueless in court than in her interview—a feat I didn’t think was possible. She feigns ignorance about the business in court but then gives a comprehensive explanation during her interview. Like, come on, pick a side. And Mark? Oh, we’ll revisit him later.
Were the Clothes Always So Unattractive? (Spoiler: Yes)
Looking back at the clothing in advertisements and on racks in consultants’ homes, I couldn’t help but realize how hideous some of it is. One designer mentioned that they often just tossed random patterns onto the fabric to meet demand. By 2017, they were so pressed for designs that they were churning out garments without much thought. So, those unfortunate designs that look like phallic buildings or hamburgers that resemble vaginas? That’s what happens when you’re rushing production.
Footage from their conventions or company cruises presents a jarring image of women in loud prints who all seem to be clones of one another—truly unsettling.
LuLaRoe Was (and Still Is) a Cult
A former consultant points out this reality outright in the third episode, but the signs were evident throughout. Deanne and Mark marketed LuLaRoe to prospective sellers as a chance to build community and family, all while making them invest in the company (goodbye, pyramid scheme). This strategy allowed them to exploit vulnerable women looking for a way to connect with others while managing their families. It’s the dream for many mothers, as shown by the sellers featured in the series.
However, it went much deeper. Top sellers faced intense expectations from Deanne and Mark, which extended far beyond sales. They were pressured to dress head-to-toe in LuLaRoe, maintain perfect hair, and fit a specific body type. Deanne even underwent dubious weight loss surgery in Mexico and arranged for consultants to follow suit. One woman described the flood of texts from Deanne pushing her to have the surgery, but she firmly declined.
One top seller, who is Black, recounted how she had to change out of her Chanel attire into leggings at work. She also mentioned being invited on the exclusive company cruise for top sellers but found the crowd “too many white people.” Understandable. I wouldn’t want to be stuck on a boat with a bunch of white women either. But it’s ironic; as a Black woman selling a product that embodied a certain cultural aesthetic, that was her boundary.
I Can’t Help but Feel for the Consultants
These women were sold a severely misleading vision, which is truly heartbreaking. Especially those who reached the top tier only to face devastation. The consequences were real; two women even went through divorces because they financially ruined their families.
This contradicts everything Deanne and Mark Stidham intended when launching LuLaRoe. They fed these vulnerable women narratives about how their husbands should be involved. The Stidhams, being Mormons, hold traditional views where the husband is king and the wife is there to serve. Yet these women were pouring their effort into building a “business.” The expectation was that they’d hand over control to their husbands once they found success. Seriously? What man would want to manage a business selling leggings with unicorns?
I could go on about this docuseries, but you really should watch it for yourself. I binge-watched it in one night because it’s like a train wreck; you simply can’t look away. You wouldn’t believe some of this stuff if it wasn’t real.
‘LuLaRich’ is now available on Amazon Prime Video.
To learn more about home insemination, you can check out this article, and for authoritative information on insemination kits, visit this resource. Additionally, if you’re seeking further insights on pregnancy and home insemination, this blog is an excellent resource.
Search Queries:
- home insemination kit
- home insemination syringe
- self insemination
- artificial insemination at home
- pregnancy tips
In summary, ‘LuLaRich’ exposes the chaotic rise and fall of LuLaRoe through the lens of its founders and the consultants who believed in the dream. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pyramid schemes and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, all while providing a bizarre and entertaining viewing experience.