• Growing evidence has linked alcohol to a higher risk of cancer. Can it be part of a healthy diet?
• The Mediterranean diet and Blue Zones diet, linked to longevity, both include wine in moderation.
• Wine's role in a healthy diet may be related to factors like stress relief and social connection.

Doctors, including the US Surgeon General, are sounding the alarm that drinking alcohol is linked to cancer — but some of the longest-living people in the world enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.

The Mediterranean diet, based on eating traditions in countries like Spain, Italy, and Turkey, is widely acknowledged as the healthiest way to eat.

Along with olive oil and whole grains, it includes wine in moderation — typically defined as one daily drink or less for women, two or less for men.

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Longevity "Blue Zones," areas of the world where people reportedly live longer, healthier lives, are home to rich wine-drinking cultures like Ikaria, Greece and Sardinia, Italy.

While some researchers say there are clear benefits of drinking wine — including a social outlet and a boost of antioxidants — others say there's no safe amount of alcohol.

So how come wine features in the healthiest diet? Here's what we know.

Can wine be good for you?

Some people live into their 90s or past 100 while enjoying wine, beer, or even whiskey.

One clear benefit is socializing.

Blue Zones are known for being hubs of community and support, and research suggests those strong social bonds contribute to longevity.

Drinking wine brings people together, which can relieve stress, reduce loneliness, and positively stimulate the nervous system. Plus, people who eat with friends and family tend to eat more moderately and mindfully.

The second factor is sustainability.

The healthiest diet is one you'll follow, and dietitians routinely emphasize that an all-or-nothing approach to eating (and drinking) can lead to cycles of restriction and binging, which damages your metabolism.

While that's no reason to start drinking, if you don't already, flexible habits make it easier to stick to a healthier lifestyle overall with a little indulgence in things you enjoy.

Several studies over the years have found some benefit to drinking in moderation such as lower risk of heart disease and dying early.

A 2023 study found light drinking was linked to lower risk of heart attack, especially in people with anxiety, suggesting it may have a benefit for reducing stress.

The risks of drinking wine, even in moderation

Alcohol is a known carcinogen (cancer-causing substance).

International agencies like the World Health Organization have warned that any alcohol consumption can increase cancer risk.

Heavy drinking — more than four drinks per session for women and five for men, or more than eight to 15 drinks per week — can lead to high blood pressure, liver disease, and higher risk of stroke, according to the CDC.

Cardiologists, oncologists, and gastroenterologists generally agree that drinking less is one of the biggest ways to reduce your risk of illnesses like heart disease and cancer.

Is natural wine better for you?

Natural wines are popular in the Mediterranean and Blue Zones like Sardinia, Italy, said researcher Dan Buettner in a 2023 docuseries on longevity.

Natural wines carry the same health risks as any alcohol, but they tend to have less sugar, fewer additives, and lower alcohol content.

As a result, natural wines may be a healthier drink option, helping to lower the risks associated with too much alcohol and sugar, and may offer more antioxidants than conventional wines.

Polyphenols, plant-based compounds found in berries, grapes, and wine, offer benefits such as improved gut health, research suggests.

However, wine by itself doesn't contain high enough amounts to back up the benefits seen from some polyphenols like resveratrol in health and longevity studies.

How to get the benefits of alcohol without drinking

If you're interested in cutting down your drinking, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor.

You can cut back on drinking by limiting the number of drinks you have per day or week and planning alcohol-free days.

You could also harness the social benefits of alcohol while drinking alcohol-free alternatives like kombucha or non-alcoholic beer.

• The Chinese automaker BYD just reported its best quarter yet.
• Even though it doesn't have access to the US market, BYD's affordable EVs are popular in China.
• Here's how a little-known Chinese brand proved it could go toe-to-toe with an industry giant.

BYD may not be a household name in America, but it recently made itself known in a big way.

For a brief moment in December 2023, the Chinese automaker unseated Tesla as the world's top seller of electric cars. A little over a year later, on January 1, BYD reported its best quarter yet.

Even though you won't see a BYD car in America (yet), the company has built an affordable brand that's popular in China and elsewhere.

Earlier this year, it announced a Cybertruck competitor, the BYD Shark, along with a hybrid powertrain that allows its sedans to travel up to 1,250 miles without stopping.

Here's the story of the company that proved it could outsell Elon Musk.

BYD doesn't stand for anything — officially.

Wang Chuanfu and a cousin founded BYD in 1995. Then a 29-year-old government researcher, Wang came from a family of rice farmers. He earned a university scholarship and eventually moved to the Special Economic Zone in Shenzhen to start his new company.

The "YD" in the name came from Yadi, the village in Shenzhen where the company originally was, one South Korean newspaper reported. The "B" was added later as a promotional tool, the report said. Wang has said in interviews that, taken together, the BYD name doesn't stand for anything in particular.

It was only later that Wang derived the slogan "Build Your Dreams." The company has also acquired another nickname: "Bring Your Dollars."

The company was originally a cellphone-battery manufacturer.

The company's original business wasn't cars. It was cellphone batteries. BYD challenged the established Japanese suppliers Toyota and Sony by providing a cheaper alternative. By 2002, companies such as Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung were all using BYD batteries.

They started making cars in 2003.

BYD moved into the car business after buying Xi'an Tsinchuan, a failing state-owned automaker that was then an arm of the defense contractor Norinco, the South China Morning Post reported.

The company launched its first car in 2005. The BYD F3 was a compact sedan that resembled the Toyota Corolla. It sold for as little as 40,000 yuan, or about $5,850.

Warren Buffett was a key early booster.

The billionaire investor Warren Buffett was one of the high-profile names who took an interest in BYD early on. Looking to invest in China's booming car market, Buffett toured BYD's headquarters.

The Wall Street Journal reported that while the Berkshire Hathaway tycoon was there, Wang took a sip of battery fluid to prove how clean his batteries were. Buffett was so impressed by the experience that he offered to buy 25% of the company.

Wang declined that offer, but Buffett was not deterred. Berkshire Hathaway acquired a 10% stake in BYD — for $232 million — in 2008.

Their first electric car drew scorn from Elon Musk.

The company debuted its first fully electric vehicle, the E6, in 2010. Benefiting from Chinese government subsidies, it was able to compete with its Japanese counterparts.

But not everyone was impressed. Tesla CEO Elon Musk laughed in a 2011 interview when asked whether he considered BYD a serious rival to Tesla.

"Have you seen their car?" he said. "I don't think they make a good product. I don't think it's particularly attractive. The technology is not very strong."

BYD's hybrid cars turned it into a titan of Chinese automakers.

BYD established itself as one of the top automakers for hybrid vehicles in China in the 2010s. Its most popular offering was the Qin, introduced in 2012, which became one of the best-selling cars in China.

That wasn't the only offering that propelled BYD to prominence, however. The company also released the Tang, a hybrid SUV, and partnered with Daimler AG (now Mercedes-Benz) to make its Denza line.

BYD took the EV crown from Tesla — briefly.

Even though most of its sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 came from the Chinese market, BYD made headlines across the globe when it seemingly did the impossible — it unseated Tesla as the world's top seller of electric cars.

The Chinese automaker rode the EV wave on the back of its new Seagull, which debuted for 73,000 yuan, or about $10,000, as well as its Song, Qin Plus, Dolphin, Yuan Plus, and Han EVs.

Tesla reclaimed the crown in the first quarter of 2024, though both companies saw steep declines in their sales.

BYD's Shark takes aim at Tesla's Cybertruck

The Shark, unveiled in May, is the latest model offered by BYD.

It's a midsize hybrid pickup truck, and the cabin's design fuses outdoor functionality with modern style and durability.

The truck has more than 430 horsepower, or 170 less than Tesla's all-wheel-drive Cybertruc. BYD says it can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers an hour, or about 62 miles an hour, in roughly 5.7 seconds. The vehicle has five seats and a maximum towing capacity of 2,500 kilograms, which is just more than 5,500 pounds. That's about half of the Cybertruck's towing capability.

Designed for everyday trips and off-road driving, the Shark has three terrain modes: sand, mud, and snow.

It also has built-in features to make camping and off-roading more accessible. The vehicle offers bidirectional charging, according to BYD's site.

While the Shark isn't in direct competition with the Cybertruck as a hybrid model that doesn't sell in the US, it may entice EV fans looking for a more traditional pickup design. It's also priced competitively at about $53,451, which is lower than Cybertruck's $60,990 starting price tag.

Don't expect to see a BYD car on American roads anytime soon.

For a time, it looked as if we were just a few years away from getting Chinese electric cars in the United States. A BYD executive said as much in 2017, and the company even hired Leonardo DiCaprio as a brand ambassador for English-speaking customers.

Since then, BYD has expanded overseas. The Chinese automaker is planning a factory in Mexico — alarming US officials — and even created its own shipping fleet in a bid to cut down on export costs.

But the company says it has abandoned its plans of selling its EVs to Americans. Analysts have pointed to geopolitical tensions and trade barriers between the two countries, as well as the slumping demand for EVs in the United States.

BYD is launching a new hybrid powertrain system on two midsize sedans — and it can drive 1,250 miles without charging or stopping to fill up for gas.

BYD is upgrading its hybrid powertrain system.

The company announced that the upgraded powertrains will launch in two of sedans, one of which will be the BYD Seal 06, Bloomberg reported. Both models will reportedly be under 100,000 yuan, according to the company.

Hybrids make up the majority of BYD vehicles sold, according to a Reuters report. The new upgrade gives them a competitive edge against rivals like Toyota and Volkswagon, which mostly sell fuel-powered vehicles.

The powertrain system translates to about 81 miles per gallon at full charge, which is over triple the US fuel economy average for 2022 cars. That's also close to 500 more miles of range than a hybrid 2023 Lexus ES, which was the longest-range hybrid in the Kelley Blue Book's list last year.

Additional reporting by Graham Rapier.

BYD hit record sales in the fourth quarter of 2024

BYD sold 1.76 million EVS in 2024, according to figures released Wednesday.

That total was part of a larger haul of 4.27 million cars sold overall, which includes both hybrid and EV models.

In an effort to boost sales in the holiday quarter, Tesla boosted discounts towards the end of the year. However, Tesla sold about 1.79 million cars in 2024, marking its first year-over-year decline.

BYD similarly launched a series of discounts toward the end of the year and has grown in popularity with its hybrid models in the last few months. BYD's 2024 sales include a monthly record of over 500,000 EVs and hybrids sold just in December, the company said.

• US News & World Report released a list of the cities with the best quality of life for 2024-2025.
• Cities with outdoor activities like beaches and mountains ranked higher.
• Ann Arbor, Michigan, was named the best city for a high quality of life.

Quality of life is one of the most important aspects one should consider before moving to a new city.

US News & World Report created a list of the country's most livable cities, weighing factors such as affordability, healthcare quality, and residents' overall happiness.

For its ranking, US News & World Report used data from sources such as the US Census Bureau, the FBI, and the US Department of Labor, among others.

Here are the top 15 cities with the best quality of life in 2024-2025, ranked.

15. Fayetteville, Arkansas

Quality of life score: 7.0

Population of the metro area: 113,010

Median household income: $70,165

Median home price: $281,646

Median age: 33 years old

Known for: Located among the Ozark Mountains, Fayetteville is an outdoorsy town that's known for its friendly residents, love of college football, and local favorites like a deep-fried catfish sandwich.

14. Richmond, Virginia

Quality of life score: 7.0

Population of the metro area: 240,938

Median household income: $68,814

Median home price: $321,874

Median age: 36 years old

Known for: Richmond is a historic city founded in 1737, but that doesn't mean it's old-fashioned. A thriving downtown scene with art galleries, concert halls, and trendy restaurants meld the city's rich history with the modern times, and Richmond's more than 100 local parks offer plenty of outdoor recreation for residents.

13. Hartford, Connecticut

Quality of life score: 7.0

Population of the metro area: 118,273

Median household income: $46,377

Median home price: $214,546

Median age: 36 years old

Known for: While the population of Hartford skews older than some cities on this list, there's no shortage of buzzy restaurants and corporate offices for those looking to grow their careers in the Connecticut capital. The Bushnell Theater brings Broadway shows to town regularly, and The Mark Twain House and Museum is a popular destination for literary buffs.

12. Greenville, South Carolina

Quality of life score: 7.0

Population of the metro area: 77,387

Median household income: $76,193

Median home price: $393,809

Median age: 37 years old

Known for: College football is huge in Greenville, which is home to Clemson University, but there's a thriving art scene, too. Outdoor activities also abound in this Southern city, thanks to multiple hiking and biking trails.

11. San Diego, California

Quality of life score: 7.0

Population of the metro area: 1,404,745

Median household income: $109,765

Median home price: $807,264

Median age: 38 years old

Known for: San Diego residents enjoy outdoor activities, from surfing to boating and volleyball on one of the city's over 80 beaches. The city is also home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo and is known for its authentic Mexican cuisine.

10. Asheville, North Carolina

Quality of life score: 7.0

Population of the metro area: 113,353

Median household income: $69,429

Median home price: $400,587

Median age: 42 years old

Known for: Set among the Blue Ridge Mountains and defined by a thriving farm-to-table food scene, brewery culture, and a focus on local artisans, Asheville is an easygoing city with a lot to offer people of all ages, whether visiting or putting down roots in this creative Southern city.

9. Boston, Massachusetts

Quality of life score: 7.1

Population of the metro area: 673,264

Median household income: $95,674

Median home price: $744,221

Median age: 35 years old

Known for: One of the most historic cities in the country, Boston offers many exciting cultural activities, including walks along the Freedom Trail and performances by the Boston Pops Orchestra. Fine dining and buzz-worthy restaurants abound, as do historic taverns and bars, and two Boston chefs were nominated for the James Beard Awards in 2024, Eater reported.

8. Virginia Beach, Virginia

Quality of life score: 7.1

Population of the metro area: 460,069

Median household income: $96,805

Median home price: $358,477

Median age: 39 years old

Known for: Virginia Beach boasts 38 miles of coastline, offering plenty of activities from swimming to fishing, kayaking, and waterskiing. If you're not outdoorsy, however, there are plenty of opportunities for shopping, museums, and taking in the local cuisine.

7. Portland, Maine

Quality of life score: 7.1

Population of the metro area: 68,430

Median household income: $77,286

Median home price: $449,949

Median age: 39 years old

Known for: Portland, Maine, has quickly become the New England city to watch, thanks to its thriving food scene, plethora of outdoor recreational activities, and exciting music and nightlife scenes. However, the cost of living in Portland is rising steadily, leaving the city at a crossroads of how to create more affordable housing while retaining Portland's small-town feel.

6. Madison, Wisconsin

Quality of life score: 7.2

Population of the metro area: 269,692

Median household income: $79,166

Median home price: $367,653

Median age: 35 years old

Known for: As the capital of Wisconsin's Dairyland, Madison has a thriving food scene built off local cheese and breweries. The city's lakes and bike paths also make this city a great place to live in the warmer months.

5. Raleigh, North Carolina

Quality of life score: 7.2

Population of the metro area: 469,960

Median household income: $87,708

Median home price: $382,677

Median age: 37 years old

Known for: Raleigh-Durham is quickly becoming a premier destination for great food and entertainment with a second-tier city feel. Home to some of the state's top universities and colleges, as well as more than 20 craft breweries, shopping centers, and local museums, this region of North Carolina is a great place to lay down roots.

4. Honolulu, Hawaii

Quality of life score: 7.4

Population of the metro area: 408,930

Median household income: $103,096

Median home price: $869,639

Median age: 45 years old

Known for: Honolulu is a slice of paradise on Earth with stretches of stunning beaches, fine dining establishments, resorts, a diverse local culture, and shopping destinations. History buffs can also visit sites relating to the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor, including the USS Arizona Memorial.

3. Boise, Idaho

Quality of life score: 7.4

Population of the metro area: 277,498

Median household income: $85,886

Median home price: $422,080

Median age: 39 years old

Known for: Boise's stunning natural surroundings are just one reason to move to this up-and-coming city. In addition to more than 180 miles of public trails for hiking, biking, and running, artistically inclined folks can take in a show at one of the city's theaters, while sports fans can root for the Boise State University Broncos.

2. Boulder, Colorado

Quality of life score: 7.4

Population of the metro area: 122,362

Median household income: $97,017

Median home price: $854,424

Median age: 36 years old

Known for: Boulder is known for its more than 60 parks and 155 miles of hiking trails for nature lovers. The city's downtown area also abounds with restaurants, cafés, and bars, while the outdoor Pearl Street Mall is a popular shopping destination.

1. Ann Arbor, Michigan

Quality of life score: 7.7

Population of the metro area: 125,664

Median household income: $86,628

Median home price: $456,578

Median age: 34 years old

Known for: Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor combines a small-town feel with the benefits of a bigger city.

According to US News & World Report, more than 90% of Ann Arbor residents live less than a 10-minute walk from a public park, which gives them access to hiking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing. The city's downtown is also a thriving hub for shops and restaurants, as well as craft breweries and distilleries.

• Natalia Grace, an orphan accused of being an adult who posed as a child, is the focus of an ID docuseries.
• After her former adoptive parents abandoned her, she was taken in by the Mans family.
• Natalia recently confirmed she was no longer living with them, a year after the series' cliffhanger suggested they'd fallen out.

Days before the premiere of "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter," Natalia Grace Mans confirmed that she is no longer living with the Mans family.

The Investigation Discovery documentary series, released in three batches, explores the story of Natalia Grace, whose former adoptive parents, Michael and Kristine Barnett, said she was an adult posing as an orphaned Ukrainian child.

The first season, which aired in May 2023, gave an overview of Natalia Grace's story and covered the accusations against her. The Barnetts, who said they believed Natalia to be a 6-year-old Ukrainian orphan when they first adopted her in 2010, came to believe that Natalia was really an adult con artist. In the series, Michael alleged that Natalia had attempted to harm members of the family and said that a therapist had diagnosed her as a "sociopath," all accusations that Natalia denied.

Natalia has a rare form of dwarfism known as spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia. Though her Ukrainian birth certificate said she was born in 2003, in 2012, Michael and Kristine Barnett succeeded in legally changing Natalia's birth year to 1989.

That made Natalia an adult on paper, but she was still classified as a dependent due to her disability status. After leaving Natalia alone in an Indiana apartment and moving to Canada in 2013, the since-divorced couple faced charges of neglect in 2019. (Michael was acquitted in October 2022, and the charges against Kristine were dismissed in March 2023.)

"Natalia Speaks," the second season of the series, aired in January 2024 and featured extensive interviews with Natalia in which she denied the Barnetts' allegations of violent behavior and their claims that she faked her age. She also accused Kristine Barnett, who did not participate in the docuseries, of abusing her as a child. In a statement posted to Facebook in January 2024, Kristine said that Natalia "was not abused by anyone in my family."

The docuseries also featured Natalia's confrontation with Michael Barnett, who apologized to Natalia and alleged that Kristine had manipulated him.

In the years since her time with the Barnetts, Natalia found a new family in Cynthia and Antwon Mans, a religious couple who later adopted her. The second season of the docuseries presented their relationship as a loving one and a happy ending for Natalia, but a revelation in the last two minutes of the docuseries threw all that into doubt.

Now, ahead of the new episodes of the docuseries airing on January 6, Natalia has clarified where she stands with the Mans family.

How did Natalia Grace meet her new adoptive parents, Cynthia and Antwon Mans?

Both Antwon and Cynthia Mans featured heavily in the second part of the docuseries, "Natalia Speaks," with Antwon accompanying Natalia to receive DNA test results that appeared to determine that her true age is around 22 years old. He also sat in on her confrontation with her former adoptive father, Michael Barnett. Natalia praised the Mans family throughout the series and referred to them as her parents even before they legally adopted her.

Natalia previously testified in Michael Barnett's neglect trial that she came to live with the Mans family after meeting Cynthia Mans through a neighbor while she was living alone in Lafayette, Indiana, where the Barnetts had moved her in July 2013. At that time, Natalia said, she was 9 years old, though she was legally 23 years old due to the Barnetts changing her age.

Antwon and Cynthia, who had multiple other children living in their home when Natalia came to live with them, spoke highly of Natalia in the series. They said she didn't behave in their home in a way uncharacteristic of other children and certainly not the way the Barnetts said she acted with them. But the show did raise one specific incident: Genesis Mans, a child also living with the Mans family, recalled in an interview in episode five that Natalia bit her when she was a baby. Genesis said Natalia told her the incident occurred when Natalia was 10 (legally 24 years old).

"I would say she has been violent in a typical way like most kids do. You know, most kids fight, most kids argue, but nothing unusual to where there was just crazy unrest in that sort of way. There's nothing dangerous about Natalia at all, absolutely not," Bishop Antwon Mans said in an interview in episode five of "Natalia Speaks."

In episode six, Natalia said she remembered "having some behavior issues" when she first met the Mans, and she apologized for her early behavior.

"When Natalia first got with us, there would be moments that she would just be so broken, and just feel like, 'How do I deal with this?'" Cynthia Mans recounted in an interview in episode six.

"Natalia been with us all these years, and let me tell you, we have corrected Natalia, and she's never came at us with the knife or put thumbtacks up on our stairs, or tried to hurt our children," Cynthia continued, referencing allegations from the Barnetts.

Episode six of "Natalia Speaks" depicted Antwon and Cynthia Mans formally adopting Natalia, with both parents wearing t-shirts celebrating their status as adoptive parents.

"It has been a really long journey. I have always wondered if I would be able to find someone that would actually love me. But then I met my parents, and it's been different ever since. It's been a good different," Natalia said in an interview in episode six.

Documents shown in the episode indicated the adoption paperwork was filed in June 2023, about a decade after she began living with them.

The docuseries suggested Natalia Grace and the Mans family had a falling out

In the last two minutes of episode six of "Natalia Speaks," a black screen appears with text that reads, "Two weeks ago, and six months after Natalia's adoption, the producers got a shocking phone call."

Audio of Antwon and Cynthia's voices then plays over a shot zooming in on Natalia sitting on a porch.

"Something ain't right with Natalia," Antwon says. "This girl is tweakin'. 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."

"Natalia is stabbing her family in the back over a complete lie," Cynthia says.

"She's done other things, too," Antwon continues. "But this was a new low. Natalia does not have emotions for nothing but herself. We're done. We're done with her."

Then the screen cuts to black with the text, "Natalia's story will continue."

Jason Sarlanis, president of crime and investigative content, linear and streaming at Discovery, told The Hollywood Reporter after the episode aired that producers initially believed that Natalia's story, despite being full of "twists and turns," had reached a positive conclusion.

"We genuinely thought Natalia had found a happy ending with her new family, so you can imagine we were all thoroughly shocked when that call came from the Mans," Sarlanis said.

"Our series was already finished and locked, but we instantly mobilized with our producers to ensure that this shocking development was included in our finale," Sarlanis told THR. "Our viewers are so invested in Natalia's case we felt our series needed to reflect the constantly shifting truth of her situation."

"One thing has always proven to be true with Natalia's story — nothing is ever what it seems."

Natalia still interacted with the Mans family on social media after the phone call, but things got messy

Despite the cliffhanger, Natalia appeared to still be on good terms with the Mans family on social media after their phone call to producers, which "The Final Chapter" states took place on December 1, 2023. She appeared in posts from the Mans family's social media accounts, including a Thanksgiving 2023 post on Instagram.

The family's TikTok account, which the Instagram page references, posted on December 26, 2023 that Natalia had launched her own TikTok account under the handle @natgrace20. The post bears several hashtags, including #MamaBabyIsGrowingUp, #MamasForEverBFF, #FamilyIsForever, and #GoFollowBabysPage. According to the timeline presented in the documentary series, the post was likely made after or around the same time as the phone call between the Mans family and the docuseries' producers.

One post on the @natgrace20 account, previously viewed by BI, was a video of a woman who appeared to be Natalia wishing her followers a happy 2024. A December 29, 2023 post on the account featured photos of Natalia and the Mans family.

"2023 was amazing but 2024 is gonna be awesome," the December 29, 2023 post's caption read, accompanied by the hashtags #newbeginnings, #fyp, and #family4ever. It also tagged the Mans family's account.

"i love you so much my forever baby," the Mans family account replied to the post.

"I love you mama," the Natalia account replied.

On January 5, 2024, after "Natalia Speaks" aired, the Instagram account appearing to belong to Natalia posted to let people know that she was safe. The post did not explicitly reference her relationship with the Mans family, nor the ending of the show.

"I am okay and doing well and thank you all for your support and prayers," read the caption. "I wish I could tell you more Abt the show but I signed an agreement with the show to keep things confidential for now. I will let you guys know when I can for sure, but just know I am okay. Love y'all! #safe #livingmybestlife."

Later posts indicated that things were more complicated. One February 2024 TikTok on the Mans family's account reads: "Life can be so hard when raising kids. I miss my daughter so much and I will never understand why things are like this."

Another February post on the Mans family's Facebook page said they and Natalia had "disagreements" but she was still their daughter and they didn't hate her. It also claimed that the audio from their phone call to producers had been edited, and did not reflect the "full audio" of the conversation.

A representative for ID did not immediately return BI's request for comment.

In a March 2024 TikTok video, Cynthia Mans said that Natalia was no longer active on their account, or any account, as she'd decided to leave social media. Another post later that month said Natalia no longer lived with the family and that she wasn't speaking to Cynthia anymore.

"I miss my baby so much," she said.

As of January 3, 2025, all posts on the @natgrace20 TikTok account had been deleted or set to private.

Previous requests for comment from BI sent to the Mans family's Instagram account and the Instagram account appearing to belong to Natalia in 2024 did not receive a response. Natalia's Instagram account was wiped as of January 3, 2025.

Natalia Grace confirmed in January 2025 that she's no longer living with the Mans family

In a People cover story published days before the premiere of "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter," Natalia said that she was living in New York with the DePaul family, who previously attempted to adopt her when she was a child.

Natalia told People that while she was living with the Mans family, she "learned how to be a mother," assisting in raising other children in the family. The publication reported that Antwon learned that Natalia was dating a man named Neil and removed access to her phone. People also reported that on the new episodes of the show, which have yet to be released, neighbors allege that Cynthia and Antwon Mans had physically abused Natalia while she lived with them.

Natalia would not confirm or deny those allegations to People.

Antwon and Cynthia Mans did not immediately respond to BI's requests for comment sent to their personal Facebook profiles, their family Facebook page, and an email listed on the Facebook page. They also did not respond to People magazine's requests for comment.

People reports that Neil, Natalia's boyfriend, contacted the DePaul family, and they organized a plan to help her leave the Mans family in the middle of the night. In December 2023, Nicole DePaul drove to Nashville, where the Mans were located, to pick up Natalia, as shown in a preview from the docuseries.

Natalia has lived with the DePaul family — Nicole, her husband Vince, and daughter Mackenzie, who all have dwarfism too — since then. Nicole told People that their relationship was typically smooth, though it had its difficulties.

"Did she probably do weird things in the past? Yeah," Nicole told People. "[But] when you take in a child, you take that child as your own. You don't just get rid of them when they don't fit into your puzzle."

Natalia told People that she informed her adoptive mother, Cynthia, that she wasn't "kidnapped or dead" once she left the Mans family. Now, she is preparing to one day live on her own by studying for the GED and learning how to drive. She also told People that she met Neil, her boyfriend, for the first time in person after leaving the Mans family.

"It's been a big learning curve for me. For the most part, I've made peace," she told People. "It is definitely a blessing to be alive today. And there's nothing I can do to change the past."

"The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter" will premiere on January 6 on Max and Investigation Discovery.