Second Lady Usha Vance and Vice President JD Vance have been often making headlines concerning their divorce rumors. The theories on the internet have been wild. However that took a back seat as her graceful arrival in Rome this week had many praising her for exactly the opposite. For showing up and standing by her husband’s side.

The couple traveled to Italy to attend Pope Leo XIV’s Mass of Inauguration on May 18, 2025. Well yes, their presence was significant for diplomatic reasons. Keeping that aside, it was Usha’s composed, smiling presence that stirred the most reaction online, especially compared to First Lady Melania Trump’s track record of skipping events or appearing visibly disengaged at them.

Following his Inaugural Mass, Pope Leo XIV met with the American delegation: Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife, Jeanette. And then the Pope embraced his brother Lou Prevost and Deborah Prevost. pic.twitter.com/DzAOaXD3Lk

— Raymond Arroyo (@RaymondArroyo) May 18, 2025

Some even noted that Melania has become the “third wheel” to Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who’s frequently seen by his side at political functions. In contrast, Usha looked poised and engaged during the visit, especially as she and JD greeted Catholic officials upon arrival.

“Wow! Look at Usha (Second Lady) take the lead on this one. They are a very respectable couple. So glad for VP Vance,” one user posted on X. Another remark read, “Usha Vance outshines Melania Trump in several ways. She is stylish, beautiful, a well-educated woman with a law degree and she acts like a lady when in public who supports her husband. I’m very very happy to see such a woman as our Second Lady. Wish she was our First.”

Though their growing visibility on the world stage has been positive, Usha admits it hasn’t come without challenges. In an interview with The Free Press in April 2025, she opened up about the personal toll of her husband’s demanding role, “Obviously, our lives are not normal, and it feels almost absurd to say that they are.”

U.S. Vice President @JDVance and his wife Usha arrive at St. Peter’s Square for the historic inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff. As the highest-ranking U.S. official in attendance, VP Vance represents the United States at this occasion pic.twitter.com/thdCOCCFw1

— National Catholic Register (@NCRegister) May 18, 2025

She also recalled an uncomfortable moment at the Kennedy Center in March 2025, where the couple faced public backlash. “It was about 20 or 30 seconds of some people booing and delaying the start of the concert, right as the conductor is about to come out, and there were a few other people clapping. J.D. waved at them, and then we enjoyed the show that we had come for,” she said.

It’s a reality Usha seems well aware of. Given the divisive nature of the Vance-Trump political platform, mixed reactions from the public may be something she’ll have to get used to. Or, she might already has!

But if her Rome appearance is any indication, Usha Vance isn’t just handling the scrutiny, she’s giving a new definition to what quiet strength and style look like on the global political stage.

And of course, it’s got people talking.

Scroll below to catch some glimpses of the beautiful SLOTUS.