Good American Family, now streaming on Hulu, is inspired by the shocking true story of Natalia Grace, a woman living with a rare form of dwarfism. In 2012, her adoptive parents claimed that Grace was actually an adult pretending to be a child and even had her age legally altered. The series, concluding on April 30, dives into the controversy surrounding Grace’s age and identity.
In the show, Ellen Pompeo of Grey’s Anatomy stars as Kristine Barnett, who adopted seven-year-old Natalia in 2010. At that time, Kristine was gaining fame in the speakers’ circuit due to her son Jacob, a child prodigy with autism who stunned experts with his academic achievements. On-screen, Kristine sees Natalia (played by Imogen Faith Reid) as her next challenge, while her husband Michael (Mark Duplass) is overjoyed to finally have a daughter.
In 2012 both in reality and in the series the Barnetts legally changed Natalia’s age from 8 to 22 and placed her in an apartment to live independently. Kristine and Michael Barnett faced charges of neglecting a dependent; Michael was acquitted, and the charges against Kristine were eventually dropped. The real Natalia Grace and Michael Barnett shared their perspectives in the docu-series The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, whose third season premiered in January 2025 and featured Natalia on the cover of People magazine’s January 13 issue.
Here’s a look at some of the most significant moments in Good American Family and how they compare with statements from Natalia and the Barnetts in past interviews.
What happened to Natalia Grace in the Barnetts’ house
In the first season of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, Michael Barnett explained the family’s motivation for adopting Natalia: “We wanted to help somebody who was in danger of never being loved.”
However, both Natalia and the Barnetts have accused each other of abusive behavior. The Barnetts claimed Natalia terrorized the family, while Natalia has said they were often impatient with her, especially as someone living with chronic pain and trauma.
Initially, the family enjoyed a brief “honeymoon” period, including a trip to Disneyland with Natalia. But suspicion arose almost immediately after she moved in. In the first season of the docu-series, Michael recalled that Kristine was shocked when she gave Natalia her first bath in their home and noticed she had full pubic hair. He said Natalia admitted to already having started her period and hiding bloody underwear. Around six months into her stay, Michael alleged that Natalia tried to urinate on her six-year-old sibling Ethan, defecated in the car, and smeared the waste onto him. He also claimed she would fling car doors open while the vehicle was in motion.
The Barnetts have claimed that Natalia would take her brothers’ toys and throw them into the street, even allegedly threatening to harm them while they slept. In the docu-series, Jacob Barnett says Natalia hoarded knives in her room, and Michael recalled finding her at the edge of his bed holding one. Natalia disputes this, telling Michael, “I can’t bend my fingers to even grip a knife,” and accusing the Barnetts of reenacting a scene from the 2009 horror movie Orphan. She also alleges that during her time with the Barnetts, she was hit with a belt and pepper-sprayed, according to People.
Good American Family dramatizes these events for the screen. In one tense scene, Kristine orders Natalia to clean the kitchen, only to be shocked when her coffee tastes like cleaning fluid. Natalia is accused of attempting to poison Kristine, while she maintains that her struggle to clean properly was due to her short stature.
In the docu-series, Natalia claims that Kristine staged the supposed poisoning, a moment that shattered any remaining trust, says Jacob Barnett. “I can’t share a drink with someone; it’s rooted in this fear that Natalia is coming to poison us.” Kristine Barnett did not participate in the docu-series or respond to requests for comment.
Why was Natalia Grace’s age changed?
When they adopted her in 2010, Natalia was around seven years old. However, the Barnetts began to suspect she was an adult due to her pubic hair and adult teeth. In Good American Family, Kristine becomes determined to prove Natalia is an adult after spotting a bloody tampon on the floor while preparing for a TV interview. She lines up doctors to confirm Natalia is 22, secures her an apartment, and requires her to live independently.
In reality, an Indiana court did legally change Natalia Grace’s birth year from 2003 to 1989 in 2012, after a detective questioned the authenticity of her birth certificate, according to Michael Barnett. Like the series, Natalia was made to live alone in an apartment. In the docu-series, she reveals that her apartments were never fully accessible she couldn’t reach the stove, shelves, or mailbox, and lacked a phone to call for help.
A neighbor, Cynthia Mans, took Natalia under her wing, inviting her to live with her husband Antwon, a Christian pastor, and their 10 children. Natalia moved in with the family and was formally adopted in 2023. Following a genetics test, her birth date was changed back to 2003, confirming she was approximately 22 years old at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Good American Family about?
Good American Family is a Hulu series inspired by the real-life story of Natalia Grace, a girl with a rare form of dwarfism whose adoptive parents claimed she was an adult posing as a child.
Who is Natalia Grace?
Natalia Grace is a woman born with a rare form of dwarfism. Her adoptive parents claimed she was actually an adult and had her age legally changed from 8 to 22.
Are the events in the series based on real life?
Yes, the series is inspired by real events, including Natalia’s adoption, the legal age change, and the controversies surrounding her identity and her adoptive family.
Who stars in Good American Family?
Ellen Pompeo plays Kristine Barnett, the adoptive mother, and Mark Duplass plays her husband Michael. Imogen Faith Reid portrays Natalia Grace.
Why did the Barnetts change Natalia’s age?
The Barnetts suspected Natalia was an adult because of her physical development, including adult teeth and pubic hair, leading them to legally change her birth year from 2003 to 1989.
What happened to Natalia after the age change?
Following the court ruling, Natalia was placed in an apartment to live independently. She later moved in with a supportive family, the Mans, who formally adopted her in 2023.
Is the docu-series The Curious Case of Natalia Grace connected to the show?
Yes, the docu-series explores the real-life events and perspectives of Natalia Grace and the Barnetts, providing context for the Hulu series.
How Good American Family ends
The second season of the docu-series concludes with a powerful confrontation between Natalia and her adoptive father, Michael Barnett. “I beat myself up for not being stronger,” he admits, and Natalia says he earned her forgiveness by appearing on the show and apologizing.
Good American Family mirrors this emotional moment in its finale. In the series, Natalia arrives at Michael’s house shortly after his acquittal and asks why he didn’t do more to protect her. “I was a kid,” she says. “You were supposed to be my dad.” Michael responds that he “didn’t have the strength.”
The tension escalates when Kristine and their son Jacob arrive. Michael is surprised, as he and Kristine are divorced a fact true to real life, as they split in 2014. In the show, Kristine mentions a gas leak at her place and asks if they can stay with Michael. He agrees to let Jacob stay but not Kristine, signaling to Natalia that he is on her side. Jacob (played by Aaron Potter) then apologizes for not standing up for Natalia, and she reassures him, saying it’s okay because he was also just a child.