‘Good American Household’ True Story: What to Know About Natalia Grace Barnett

• The primary teaser for “Good American Household” was launched this week.
• The brand new Hulu present is predicated on the true story of Ukrainian orphan Natalia Grace Barnett.
• Ellen Pompeo performs Kristine Barnett, Natalia Grace’s adoptive mom, who stated the woman was actually an grownup.

The true story behind the upcoming Hulu present “Good American Household” proves that actuality could be stranger than fiction.

The streamer launched the primary trailer for the sequence this week, which shortly accrued over 2.5 million views on YouTube.

The clip facilities on Kristine Barnett (Ellen Pompeo), a mother and spouse dwelling a seemingly idyllic life who receives a name from an adoption company {that a} Ukrainian orphan wants a house — a bit of woman named Natalia Grace.

Mark Duplass performs Kristine’s husband, Michael Barnett, and Imogen Religion Reid performs Natalia Grace.

Here is what it’s essential to find out about the true individuals the present is predicated on and the sophisticated true story behind it.

Natalia Grace’s adoptive dad and mom stated she was an grownup posing as a toddler

Natalia Grace’s story was first publicized in 2019 after her adoptive dad and mom have been charged with neglect, which they denied.

Kristine and Michael Barnett, an Indiana couple who’ve since divorced, adopted Natalia in 2010. On the time, they have been informed that the woman, who has a type of dwarfism, was 6 years outdated.

The Barnetts stated they got here to imagine that Natalia, who they stated had menstrual durations and pubic hair, was actually a grown girl with a psychological sickness. Kristine Barnett stated that Natalia terrorized their household, making an attempt to kill them and pouring bleach into her espresso.

The Barnetts efficiently petitioned the court docket to vary Natalia’s authorized age from 8 to 22 in 2012, making her a authorized grownup. They then put Natalia up in an residence in Lafayette, Indiana, in 2013 and moved their household to Canada.

Natalia, who has at all times maintained she was a toddler, was left to fend for herself for years. She ended up within the care of Cynthia and Antwon Mans, one other couple with a number of adopted kids.

After a yearslong investigation, the Barnetts have been charged with neglect. Michael was acquitted of the costs in October 2022, and the costs in opposition to Kristine have been dismissed in March 2023.

Natalia Grace’s story was informed in a multi-season docuseries

The outline for “Good American Household” notes that the fictionalized drama is “impressed by a number of tales, views, threats, interpretations, and accusations.”

The convoluted saga was beforehand unpacked in a docuseries, “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace,” which aired for 3 seasons on Investigation Discovery from 2023 to 2025. The sequence targeted on the views of a number of key individuals concerned within the story.

The primary installment informed the backstory of the case and largely targeted on Michael Barnett’s perspective and the Barnetts’ argument that Natalia was an grownup. Natalia did not take part in that installment however was the central focus of a follow-up, dubbed “The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: Natalia Speaks,” in 2024.

“Natalia Speaks” introduced the story from her perspective, saying Kristine Barnett had been abusive to her and had concocted the story (which had eerie similarities to the plot of the 2009 horror film “Orphan”) in an effort to eliminate her. It even featured a confrontation between Natalia and Michael, who apologized to his former adoptive daughter for his actions and stated he’d additionally been abused by Kristine.

The second installment appeared to finish fortunately, with Natalia getting closure from Michael Barnett, taking a DNA take a look at to find out her true age, and being formally adopted by the Mans household. Nonetheless, the stunning ending of “Natalia Speaks” included a telephone name that implied Natalia was at odds with the Mans household as properly.

The “Closing Chapter,” an extra 4 episodes launched in January 2025, adopted Natalia’s friction with Cynthia and Antwon Mans. She left them to stay with Nicole and Vince DePaul, a pair with dwarfism who’d beforehand tried to undertake Natalia earlier than the Barnetts did. Nicole DePaul accused Cynthia and Antwon Mans of stealing Natalia’s cash, which the Mans household has denied.

At present, Natalia continues to be dwelling with the DePaul household, has a long-distance boyfriend within the UK named Neil, and apparently is estranged from the Manses, who stay her authorized dad and mom.

Kristine Barnett has maintained in public social media posts that Natalia was an grownup all alongside, calling her former adoptive daughter a “sociopath,” and has denied abuse allegations.

“Good American Household” will premiere on March 19 on Hulu.