Who Is Natalia Grace? The True Story Behind Hulu’s Good American Family

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The TV show titled “Good American Family” delves into the intriguing tale of Natalia Grace, a girl who joined the Barnett family through adoption, yet her true identity and the authenticity of the events portrayed in the series are subjects of interest. This captivating drama premiered on March 19, 2025, as an eight-episode limited series. Michael Barnett (Mark Duplass) and his wife eagerly welcome their new adoptive daughter, Natalia Grace, played by Imogen Faith Reid. However, their initial enthusiasm soon turns to doubt as they grapple with the mystery surrounding her true identity—and whether she is actually a child or not.

How does the true story of Natalia Grace compare with the portrayal in “Good American Family“?

Natalia Grace Was Born in Mykolaiv, Ukraine

Natalia Grace Was Diagnosed With a Rare Form of Dwarfism

Born on September 4, 2003, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, is where the remarkable individual known as Natalia Grace entered the world. Soon after her birth, she was identified with Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita, a condition that affects bone growth and development. The unique aspect of Natalia’s case lies in the specific genetic mutation responsible for her dwarfism, which is relatively uncommon. Interestingly, the actress portraying Natalia Grace in Good American Family, Imogen Faith Reid, also lives with dwarfism, albeit a distinct type from Natalia’s.

In October 2003, Natalia Grace was given up for adoption at a baby home by Anna Volodymyrivna Gava, who was born on July 20, 1979 in Latvia. It is not widely known about Natalia Grace’s biological mother, but she chose to give her up for adoption due to her condition of being a congenital dwarf.

Another Couple Originally Adopted Natalia Grace

Dyan and Gary Ciccone Adopted Natalia Grace in 2008

Prior to her encounter with the Barnetts, Natalia Grace, originally, was lovingly adopted by Dyan and Gary Ciccone. At age five, little Natalia left Ukraine behind and moved to the U.S., as the Ciccone family resided in New Hampshire at that time.

Initially living with the Ciccones, Natalia Grace’s stay was brief. By 2010, the Ciccones sought to relinquish their custody of Natalia Grace and make her available for adoption. At that time, the Ciccones expressed concerns about her behavior being disruptive. Although it is said that the Ciccones tried to place Natalia Grace for adoption to another family, this claim has neither been verified nor refuted.

Kristine and Michael Barnett Adopted Natalia Grace in 2010

Jacob Barnett, Their Oldest Son, Was Making Headlines at the Time

Michael and Kristine Barnett brought Natalia Grace into their family shortly following the termination of the Ciccones’ parental rights when she was seven years old. At that time, the Barnetts already had three biological children: Wesley, Ethan, and 11-year-old Jacob, who was gaining attention online due to his exceptional intelligence and autism diagnosis, as they welcomed Natalia Grace into their Indiana home.

In “Good American Family,” Kristine perceived Natalia Grace as a piece to shape and mold. However, in reality, the Barnetts expressed that their primary intention was to provide a loving home for Natalia Grace. Similar to the Ciccones, Natalia Grace adjusted well initially at the Barnett household; she even joined them on various outings. Yet, upon their return home, the dynamics began to shift.

Natalia Grace’s Birth Year Was Changed to 1989

Why Did Kristine and Michael Believe That Natalia Grace Was an Adult?

By the end of 2010, Kristine and Michael were convinced that Natalia Grace was not truly eight years old but disguising herself as a child. For instance, Kristine expressed shock when she discovered that after bathing Natalia Grace, her matured physical features were evident. Moreover, according to Michael, Natalia Grace had already begun menstruating (though it’s possible for periods to start as early as eight, the average age is 12). Additionally, Kristine and Michael claimed that Natalia Grace would often discard her adopted brothers’ toys, and she seemed to prefer the company of older individuals.

In the year 2012, Kristine and Michael amended Natalia Grace’s Ukrainian birth certificate, claiming she was born in 1989 instead of 2003. This alteration increased her reported age from 8 to 22 years old. Subsequently, the couple relocated Natalia Grace to Indiana, leaving her behind on her own; they themselves moved to Canada in 2013 for Jacob’s graduate studies.

The Barnetts Alleged That Natalia Grace Terrorized Them

Natalia Grace Claimed The Barnetts Were Abusive and Neglectful

This family from America, highly acclaimed for its portrayal, focuses on the perspectives of characters named Kristine, Michael, and Natalia Grace. In actuality, Kristine has accused Natalia Grace of being vindictive, unstable, even sociopathic. She’s made serious allegations of violence against Natalia Grace, claiming she attempted to urinate on her adoptive brothers, placed tacks for the family to step on, and threatened their lives. Initially, Michael sided with Kristine, but in a very tense meeting in 2023, he began to empathize with Natalia Grace, portraying himself as a victim alongside her. He alleged that, similar to Natalia Grace, he was manipulated and mistreated by Kristine; Michael filed for divorce from her in 2014.

Natalia Grace consistently asserts that it was the Barnetts who were abusive towards her, not herself. According to Natalia Grace, the Barnetts often used a belt to beat her, would slap her with their hands, and locked her in her room before they finally moved to another country. Natalia Grace didn’t discover until later that her age had been altered from 8 to 22 years old. In order to stay alive, she was compelled by Kristine to act as an adult when in reality she was not.

Natalia Grace’s Real Age Was Confirmed Through DNA

Investigators Also Tracked Down Natalia Grace’s Birth Mother

In 2019, the Barnetts faced accusations of neglect, but these charges primarily centered around Natalia Grace’s disability rather than her age. Despite this, investigators working on the case were keen to establish Natalia Grace’s true birthdate. Fortunately, medical records from the hospital where she was born in Ukraine were obtainable; these records indicated that Natalia Grace was born on September 4, 2003.

Investigators discovered where Gava lived, leading to DNA tests being conducted for both Gava and Natalia Grace, similar to those provided. The results confirmed a family relationship between them. Since Gava was born in 1979, these DNA tests also allowed investigators to determine that Natalia Grace wasn’t born in 1989. However, during the trial against the Barnetts, the question of Natalia Grace’s actual birthdate didn’t come up; ultimately, Kristine and Michael were acquitted for abandoning her, although her birth certificate was updated with the original details.

What Happened After The Barnetts Left Natalia Grace?

As of 2025, Natalia Grace Lives In Upstate New York With The DePauls

Following the Barnetts relocating from Indiana to Canada, they left Natalia Grace with Antwon and Cynthia Mans. The Mans family, with ten children, soon observed that Natalia Grace was alone. It wasn’t until 2016 when attempts at establishing a relationship between Natalia Grace and the Barnetts started; however, the Manses’ request to be Natalia Grace’s legal guardians was declined because she was still viewed as an adult.

In the year 2023, the Manses officially welcomed Natalia Grace into their family, but their bond quickly turned sour. While Antown and Cynthia felt that her behavior was unusual, Natalia Grace countered by suggesting that the Manses were displeased with her personal lifestyle decisions. By the end of 2023, Natalia Grace chose to depart from the Manses and reside with the DePaul family in New York instead. As of April 2025, she continues to live with Nicole and Vincent DePaul, who had initially aspired to adopt the potential inspiration for the ‘Good American Family’ before the Barnetts completed the adoption process.

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2025-05-02 05:38