Underwear model Teresa May mistaken for U.K.'s prime minister-designate
You'd think the fact that she's selling topless selfies would be a clue this May is not a politican
Theresa May, who is expected to become Britain's prime minister on Wednesday, is many things — an Oxford graduate, a Bank of England veteran, and the U.K.'s home secretary since 2010.
She is not, however, a purveyor of signed, topless selfies.
Over the past few weeks, not-so-news-savvy Twitter users have bombarded British underwear model Teresa May with political commentary and congratulations for becoming prime minister.
I find it quite amusing how many people think I'm <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheresaMay?src=hash">#TheresaMay</a> the Prime Minister. Just shows how ignorant some people are.
—@RealTeresaMayWho is <a href="https://twitter.com/RealTeresaMay">@realteresamay</a> and why is she suddenly our prime minister?
—@outroversionMight women soon lead the UK <a href="https://twitter.com/RealTeresaMay">@RealTeresaMay</a>, the opposition <a href="https://twitter.com/angelaeagle">@angelaeagle</a>, Scotland <a href="https://twitter.com/NicolaSturgeon">@NicolaSturgeon</a> & the USA <a href="https://twitter.com/HilaryClinton">@HilaryClinton</a>? Tipping Point?
—@JenniferScott00Impressed with <a href="https://twitter.com/RealTeresaMay">@RealTeresaMay</a>'s speech
—@BA12NYThe author of My Body in Your Hands was forced to change her Twitter bio to read "I am a UK Glamour model, not the Prime Minister [sic]."
The model and her fans were quick to point out the glaring signs that she is not the next prime minister.
Pretty sure the wording on my contact form makes clear I'm not Theresa May the politician. Excuses excuses <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wankers?src=hash">#Wankers</a> <a href="https://t.co/M2MP74Pm5k">pic.twitter.com/M2MP74Pm5k</a>
—@RealTeresaMayThis tweet at the top of not-the-Prime-Minister Teresa May's Twitter profile is probably causing some consternation. <a href="https://t.co/asL9ISy13u">https://t.co/asL9ISy13u</a>
—@RobinBrown78A page parodying Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn joined in on the fun.
Ditto (email me at jc@socialist-worker.org)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StayPutInLabour?src=hash">#StayPutInLabour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/r4today?src=hash">#r4today</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeepCorbyn?src=hash">#KeepCorbyn</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VictoriaLIVE?src=hash">#VictoriaLIVE</a> <a href="https://t.co/vKmGSFTF73">https://t.co/vKmGSFTF73</a>
—@jeremycorbynnSome Britons were keen on the idea of having a sexy PM.
<a href="https://twitter.com/RealTeresaMay">@RealTeresaMay</a> I wish you were my Prime Minister, but all we have in America is Hillary Clinton.
—@BuckZephyrThe idea of a lingerie model in office may sound ridiculous, but many politicians and their spouses have actually had to walk the thin line between "media friendly" and "shallow."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was criticized for posing in a (fully clothed) photo shoot for women's magazine Vogue with wife Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau shortly after being elected.
.<a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau">@JustinTrudeau</a> and Sophie Grégoire appear in <a href="https://twitter.com/voguemagazine">@voguemagazine</a>. [Eyes rolling]. My tax dollars at work. <a href="https://t.co/oAHlouHfEn">https://t.co/oAHlouHfEn</a>
—@anhkhoidoMany Canadians felt that a sitting prime minister should be too busy to pose for a fashion shoot, and some even critiqued a fully clothed picture of the couple staring into each other's eyes as being inappropriately sexy.
Melania Trump, wife of presumptive U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald, has received both scorn and praise for her past modelling career. On the one hand, her husband retweeted a popular meme implying she's more attractive than the wife of his main rival at the time, Ted Cruz.
"<a href="https://twitter.com/Don_Vito_08">@Don_Vito_08</a>: "A picture is worth a thousand words" <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LyingTed?src=hash">#LyingTed</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NeverCruz?src=hash">#NeverCruz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MELANIATRUMP">@MELANIATRUMP</a> <a href="https://t.co/5bvVEwMVF8">pic.twitter.com/5bvVEwMVF8</a>"
—@realDonaldTrumpHowever, because she's posed in bikinis, Melania Trump has also been criticized by Democrats and ultra-conservative Republicans alike as being too sexy to be the presidential spouse.
The case of mistaken identity doesn't appear to have inspired Teresa May to make a run for office (however much her fans may want her to), but in one respect, she is well prepared to launch a campaign.
She's already denouncing the media.
Wish I had a pound for every email I've received from a journalist wanting an interview. Oh there's no fee but the publicity for you! Yaaawn
—@RealTeresaMayABOUT THE AUTHOR
