Try GOLD - Free
THE REAL NATALIA GRACE
People US
|January 13, 2025
HER DOCUSERIES THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE INTRODUCED THE WORLD TO THE UKRAINIAN ORPHAN ACCUSED OF LYING ABOUT HER AGE. NOW, IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, SHE WANTS TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT
Natalia Grace Mans has an admission to make: Although she's known to the world as the enigmatic central figure of the docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, she sometimes has a strong aversion to appearing on-camera. As a TV crew prepares to record footage at a warehouse studio in New York City, the 21-year-old slumps in a chair, her face registering emotions that rapidly shift from anxiousness to raw fear and ultimately panic. But after shouting in a trembling voice, "Everyone get out," and briefly locking herself in a bathroom, she emerges calm, even cheerful, and ready to explain herself.
"I have anxiety all the way to the roof," says Natalia. She can be triggered by traumatic memories of events that viewers of the show remember only too well, including the allegations that she was an adult with dwarfism pretending to be a child and threatened an adoptive family with a knife, and that another family she lived with subjected her to physical and psychological abuse. "It's definitely hard to deal with," she says. "I'm the type of person that hides it until I get too overwhelmed, and it explodes."

This story is from the January 13, 2025 edition of People US.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM People US
People US
Alfonso Ribeiro
THE ACTOR, 54, HOSTS DANCING WITH THE STARS AND AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS
1 min
January 19, 2026
People US
‘She Fought Like a Warrior’
CAROLINE KENNEDY LOSES HER DAUGHTER TATIANA—‘A PERFECT DAUGHTER, SISTER, MOTHER’—TO A RARE CANCER AT 35
6 mins
January 19, 2026
People US
Love, Loss & Rebuilding
THE BELOVED STAR OF ROB REINER’S THE PRINCESS BRIDE THREW HIMSELF INTO WORK AFTER HIS HOUSE BURNED DOWN. HE REFLECTS ON A CHALLENGING YEAR
4 mins
January 19, 2026
People US
With Whipped Feta Dip Pomegranate & Pistachios
‘This is the ultimate dish that hits like fireworks on the Fourth of July,’ says the Food Network star and executive chef/partner of New York City hot spots Shuka and Shukette.
1 min
January 19, 2026
People US
‘CBS Evening News’ Anchor Tony Dokoupil: Night Moves
WITH HIS NEW HIGH-PROFILE ROLE, THE ANCHOR IS READY FOR FRESH ADVENTURES ON- AND OFF-CAMERA
3 mins
January 19, 2026
People US
Murder in the Heartland
DEE WARNER WENT MISSING—THEN THREE YEARS LATER WAS FOUND DEAD IN A FERTILIZER TANK ON HER FAMILY’S MICHIGAN FARM. INSIDE THE SHOCKING CASE
4 mins
January 19, 2026
People US
People We Meet on Vacation
MOVIE True to the vibes-if not all the details-of the bestselling novel by Emily Henry, this adaptation sees friends Poppy (Emily Bader), a free spirit, and Alex (Tom Blyth), a rules guy, realize their feelings for each other over 10 years of annual vacations.
1 min
January 19, 2026
People US
WILL SMITH SUED FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Violinist Brian King Joseph filed a Dec. 30 complaint against Will Smith and his company Treyball Studios Management Inc., alleging sexual harassment while working with the Oscar and Grammy winner, 57, in March 2025 on his Based on a True Story world tour.
1 min
January 19, 2026
People US
Chris O’Donnell: What You Don’t Know About Me
THE 9-1-1: NASHVILLE STAR AND FATHER OF FIVE SHARES FUN DETAILS ABOUT HIS LIFE—FROM WHAT SCARES HIM TO HIS FAVORITE FAMILY TRADITIONS
3 mins
January 19, 2026
People US
Winter Skin Guide
EXPERT TIPS TO BEAT THE CHILL AND KEEP YOUR GLOW
1 mins
January 19, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size
