Common Sense Media Review
By Weiting Liu
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sincere, heavy reality show mentions child sex trafficking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Yolanthe
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Dutch actress, model, and entrepreneur YOLANTHE starts over in Los Angeles with her young son, Xess Xava. After leaving behind a turbulent past in the Netherlands—including childhood trauma, public divorce, and media scrutiny—Yolanthe embarks on a new chapter focused on motherhood, self-healing, and building her wellness brand. Along the way, she confronts lingering emotional wounds tied to her father's past addiction, her mother's health crisis, and her own need for control and reinvention. The series blends intimate family moments with scenes from Yolanthe's advocacy work, including a trip to Nepal with the nonprofit Free a Girl, as she tries to redefine her identity not just as a public figure, but as a woman seeking meaning, purpose, and stability.
Is It Any Good?
This is not typical reality fare; the show sidesteps scripted drama and petty feuds. Instead, Yolanthe offers a reflective portrait of a public figure navigating single motherhood and the emotional aftermath of a chaotic childhood. It celebrates women like Yolanthe who are working through deeply personal issues while trying to create meaningful change. Her advocacy work, particularly with Free a Girl, gives the series a moral compass—that fame and influence should be used for something more than self-promotion or brand-building.
That said, it doesn't escape the glossy contradictions of the genre; Yolanthe still indulges in the aesthetic perks of living as a celebrity in Los Angeles, which may complicate its authenticity. There's an unspoken tension between its messages of healing and the privilege that enables that journey. Visually and structurally, the show doesn't break any new ground. But Yolanthe's emotional honesty alone still places it a notch above the many reality shows that offer only surface-level spectacle.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the show balances emotional authenticity with Yolanthe's clear awareness of the camera and her personal brand. Do you think she's authentic? Does authenticity matter in the reality show genre?
Do Yolanthe's activism and philanthropic work, especially her involvement with Free a Girl, feel integrated into the story, or does it risk coming across as performative? Do you think her involvement helps the victims? And how can we help victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse in real life?
In what ways does the series challenge or reinforce the idea that healing and reinvention require financial privilege? What are the best ways for us to heal from traumas?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 18, 2025
- Cast : Yolanthe Cabau
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Activism
- Character Strengths : Courage
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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