At the London Hotel in West Hollywood, typically known for its elegant lighting, stunning views, and high fashion, a different kind of night took place on Saturday. Actress and humanitarian Yolanthe Cabau brought together Hollywood insiders, philanthropists, and advocates for an event that was both deeply emotional and beautifully put together.
In partnership with Deadline, the red carpet screening served not only as a showcase of unseen footage from Cabau’s global rescue missions but as an intimate look at her life’s most imperative work: eradicating the sexual exploitation of children through her nonprofit organization Free a Girl.
The evening began with a screening of never-before-seen footage with powerful material too intense to be included in her recently released Netflix docuseries YOLANTHE, which premiered in June and quickly became the most-watched show in the Netherlands within just 12 hours.This exclusive short film immersed guests into the world of covert rescues in trafficking zones, offering a haunting, unfiltered view of the stakes and the courage involved.
Following the screening, Deadline Editor Antonia Blyth brought presence and grace to a panel that was authentic in every sense. With Cabau at her side, Blyth facilitated a captivating conversation that included Lara Lessing, Director of Free a Girl USA, and Lane Terzieff, founder of the counter-trafficking nonprofit UNIT-E. Each panelist embodied both strength and vulnerability as they shed light on the global systems that allow trafficking to thrive, and the ferocious women dismantling them.
Radiating a purposeful energy that commanded the room’s full attention, Lessing is already reshaping the global conversation around survivor-led justice reform. “Hope is not wishful thinking, it is a strategic action,” she told the room.
Lane Terzieff, a strong and composed force, spoke of the challenges and moral calculus behind real-time rescue missions. His partnership with Free a Girl captures the heart of the organization’s ethos: bold collaboration, fearless advocacy, and unwavering determination.
Among those who showed up in support were Jaime King, Tara Reid, Jason Ritter, Amanza Smith, and Sound of Freedom executive producer Paul Hutchinson. They were joined by philanthropist and model Keni Silva, actress Lara Clear, Amanda de Godoi, Rafael Cabrera, and Ogy Durham, adding their voices to an already powerful assembly. Their presence reflected true and authentic commitment, each lending their platform to a movement driven largely by women.
Free a Girl is more than an organization, it’s a global force. Since its founding in 2008 by Cabau, Arjan Erkel, Evelien Holsken, and Roelof van Laar, the nonprofit has rescued more than 8,500 children and helped bring over 4,000 traffickers to justice. From intelligence teams to its signature School for Justice initiative—where survivors become prosecutors, journalists, and advocates—the impact is tangible, generational, and deeply feminist in its core strategy.
Cabau herself is a revelation. Represented by Huzur Yilmaz in the Netherlands and Liz Fuller in the United States, she embodies a new kind of leading lady—one whose beauty is matched only by her resilience. While YOLANTHE offers viewers a cinematic look into her world, this screening gave the audience a compelling and intimate perspective. “A rescue is never just about one child,” she said. “It’s about the world around her. It’s about the healing, the justice, the transformation that follows when we believe in her potential and invest in her future.”
The evening closed not just in applause, but in purpose. Guests were encouraged to donate, to amplify, and to stand as co-conspirators in lasting change.
In a world where red carpets are mostly about glamour, this one embodied something far more meaningful: conviction, compassion, and a commitment to justice rooted in both lasting impact and urgent need.
To join the movement or learn more, visit www.freeagirl.us.