The Biggest Bombshell Revelations From Natalia Grace Barnett’s ‘Natalia Speaks’ Docuseries

Natalia Says Kristine ‘Trained Me to Lie’ About Her Age

After living with Natalia for some time, Michael and Kristine had her birth year legally changed to 1989, making her around 22 years old in 2012. Though Natalia did not believe she was an adult, she told people she was 22 years old. She claimed this was because Kristine “trained” her to lie to others about her age.

Natalia Claims Kristine Pepper Sprayed Her Multiple Times

Describing some of the alleged abuse she endured at the hands of Kristine, Natalia claimed that her former adoptive mother would spend several minutes forcing Natalia to keep her eyes open as she peppered sprayed her.

Doctor Visits and a DNA Test Prove Natalia Grace’s Real Age

Episode 1 of the docuseries focused on determining if Natalia truly was a child or an adult at the time of her adoption. In 2010, an endocrinologist reassured Kristine that Natalia was estimated to be around 9 years old. The following year, a dentist used dental records to determine that Natalia had too many baby teeth to be an adult. Finally, in 2023, a DNA test revealed that she was around 22 years old in the present day, meaning she was a child in 2010.

The Real Reason Kristine Wanted to Adopt Natalia

Lawyers and legal experts in the docuseries explained that Kristine believed she turned her oldest son into a genius and detailed the process in a successful book called Spark. It was believed that Kristine wanted to do the same thing with Natalia, so she allegedly forced her daughter to do high school level physics tests and other advanced work. Natalia alleged that when she did not succeed, Kristine pepper sprayed her. It was also believed that Kristine wanted to boost her ego and reputation by taking in a child with a disability.

Michael Says He and Natalia Are Both Victims of Abuse

In episode 2, Natalia came face to face with her former adoptive father for the first time in years. They sat down to discuss what happened, and Michael blamed Kristine. He claimed that both he and Natalia were victims of the same “monster,” and that he was hospitalized multiple times due to his ex-wife’s abuse.

Natalia Claims Kristine Forced Her to Wear a Tampon as a Child

In The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, Michael recalled Kristine finding out that Natalia had gotten her period, which added to her suspicion that Natalia was older than they were told. However, in Natalia Speaks, the Ukraine native said that Kristine tried to convince her she started her period and forced her to wear a tampon. Natalia said the experience was so painful that she bled when the tampon was removed, but it was allegedly not her period.

Natalia Says Kristine Staged the Pledge in Coffee Incident

One of the accusations Michael made against Natalia was that she tried to kill Kristine by putting Pledge cleaner in her adoptive mother’s coffee, and that there was photographic evidence. Natalia claimed that she was cleaning the counter with Pledge, and Kristine forced her to spray some in a mug of coffee so that she could capture it on camera.

Natalia Claims Kristine Tried to Make Her Overdose on Medication

After visiting a psychiatric hospital for her alleged mental health issues, Natalia was placed on several different medications that were intended for adults. She claimed that Kristine once visited her at her apartment and did not believe that she had taken her medication. Natalia alleged that Kristine forced her to take them again, but then accused her once more of not taking them and made her take them a third time. Natalia then became extremely dizzy and blacked out. She accused Kristine of trying to make her overdose.

Natalia Is Planning to Sue the Barnetts

Natalia revealed at the end of episode 4 that she planned to change her last name from Barnett to Mans and have her guardians, Cynthia and Antwon Mans, formally adopt her. She then plans to file civil suits against Michael and Kristine for the abuse and neglect she endured.

Natalia Claims Kristine Tried to Set Her Up on a Date at 7 Years Old

Natalia alleged that when she was around 7 years old, Kristine sat her down and did her makeup to make her look older, telling Natalia that “this is what an adult looks like.” Kristine then took photos of Natalia and allegedly sent them to an adult man because she was trying to set them up on a date.

Kristine Allegedly Claimed She Caught Natalia and Michael Having Sex

Contry music singer Fred Gill, also known as Two-Foot Fred, claimed in Natalia Speaks that Kristine told him she was “heartbroken” because she allegedly caught Michael and Kristine having sex. Both Michael and Natalia denied the claim, telling producers they “absolutely did not” have sex.

Natalia Forgives Michael

Natalia sat down with Michael to ask for his side of the story and learn why he never tried to stop Kristine from abusing her. He claimed that Kristine threatened to take their sons away from him if he interfered. Michael told Natalia that he never let himself forget what happened to her. In the end, she forgave him and told them that he deserved a second chance. She prayed that his life would get better.

Antwon and Cynthia Mans Claim Natalia Betrayed Them After Her Adoption

While living in Lafayette, Natalia befriended a couple named Antwon and Cynthia Mans. They took her in and advocated for her during her fight against the Barnetts. In Natalia Speaks, they went through the process of legally adopting Natalia, and the docuseries ended with her adoption day. However, a note from producers revealed that Antwon and Cynthia allegedly called them two weeks after production wrapped and six months after Natalia’s adoption to say that Natalia betrayed them.

“Something ain’t right with Natalia. This girl is tweakin’,” Antwon said in the phone call recording. “I feel like she’s the enemy in the house. And she said to us, we have held her hostage. Made us look like we’re the enemy.”

Cynthia added, “Natalia is stabbing her family in the back over a complete lie.”

Antwon concluded, “She’s done other things too, but this was a new low. Natalia does not have emotions for nothing but herself. We’re done. We’re done with her.”

A final producer’s note revealed that “Natalia’s story will continue.”