Key Points
- Good American Family portrays Natalia Grace as seven years old at the time of her adoption in 2010, aligning with her original birth records.
- The Barnetts legally changed Natalia’s birth year to 1989, claiming she was actually an adult.
- Imogen Faith Reid, the actress portraying Natalia, was 27 years old when filming the series in 2024, creating a significant age gap.
Natalia Grace’s Age in Good American Family
The Hulu series Good American Family is based on the true story of Natalia Grace Barnett and the controversy surrounding her adoption. Natalia, a Ukrainian orphan with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett in 2010. The Barnetts alleged that she was actually an adult posing as a child, a claim that led to years of legal battles and public scrutiny.
In Good American Family, Natalia is depicted as seven years old, in line with her Ukrainian birth records, which list her birth year as 2003. However, the Barnetts successfully petitioned a court in 2012 to have her birth year changed to 1989, making her legally 22 years old at the time of the adoption.
The Disputed Age of Natalia Grace
The real-life controversy over Natalia’s age has been a central argument in legal proceedings and media coverage.
- Original Birth Records: Natalia’s Ukrainian birth certificate states she was born on September 4, 2003.
- Barnett Allegations: The Barnetts claimed that Natalia had adult-like features and behaviors, leading them to believe she was significantly older.
- Medical Evidence: A skeletal survey conducted at a children’s hospital suggested Natalia was about 11 years old in 2012, supporting the claim that she was a minor.
- Legal Ruling: In 2012, a judge in Indiana legally changed Natalia’s birth year to 1989 based on the Barnetts’ petition.
- Recent Developments: In March 2025, a court ruling restored Natalia’s birth date to 2003, confirming that she was indeed a child at the time of adoption.
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Actress Imogen Faith Reid’s Age vs. Natalia Grace’s Age
While Good American Family aims to dramatize real-life events, one major discrepancy is the age of the actress portraying Natalia.
- Imogen Faith Reid, who plays Natalia Grace, was born in May 1997, making her 27 years old during filming in July 2024.
- The 20-year age gap between Reid and Natalia at the time of adoption may influence how audiences perceive the show’s portrayal.
- Casting an adult actress for a child’s role may have been a practical choice due to child labor laws and the need for an actor capable of handling intense subject matter.
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Why Age Matters in Good American Family
The debate over Natalia Grace’s age is not just a minor detail; it is the central conflict of her story. The Barnetts’ claims that she was an adult influenced their decision to legally re-age her, abandon her, and later face criminal charges.
On the other hand, Natalia’s advocates argue that the court’s restoration of her original birth date in 2025 confirms that she was indeed a child at the time of adoption.
Good American Family presents both perspectives but ultimately focuses on Natalia’s experiences and the legal and ethical questions surrounding her case.
