Saturday night at the London Hotel in West Hollywood was anything but typical. Actress and activist Yolanthe Cabau hosted a red carpet event with a powerful twist— gathering celebrities, advocates, and philanthropists for an emotional screening and live panel dedicated to ending child sexual exploitation, as part of her work with the nonprofit she founded, Free a Girl.

The event, held in partnership with Deadline, featured never-before-seen footage from undercover rescue missions across the globe. These intense, emotional clips—too sensitive to include in Cabau’s hit Netflix series YOLANTHE—gave guests an up-close look at what it really takes to dismantle trafficking networks in some of the world’s most dangerous places.

“Hope is not wishful thinking, it is a strategic action,” Lessing said during the emotional conversation.

Stars across Hollywood united to take a stand against child exploitation. Among those who walked the carpet were Jaime King, Tara Reid, Jason Ritter, Amanza Smith, Brian DeRozan, Keni Silva, Lara Clear, Amanda de Godoi, Rafael Cabrera, Ogy Durham, and Sound of Freedom executive producer Paul Hutchinson. Their presence demonstrated the industry’s commitment to meaningful causes— and the remarkable influence celebrity voices can have when used for positive impact.

Cabau, who rose to fame with roles in European films and Hollywood projects like Pain & Gain, has become a fierce advocate for survivors around the world. Represented in the Netherlands by Huzur Yilmaz and in the U.S. by Liz Fuller, she’s proving to be more than just a movie star—she’s a true changemaker. Her Netflix docuseries YOLANTHE, which premiered in June 2025, quickly became the #1 most-watched show in the Netherlands within 12 hours of its release.

“A rescue is never just about one child,” Cabau told the crowd. “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.”

Free a Girl, which Cabau co-founded in 2008 with Arjan Erkel, Evelien Holsken, and Roelof van Laar, has rescued more than 8,500 children and helped arrest over 4,000 traffickers. The nonprofit provides aftercare, trauma counseling, and even trains survivors to become lawyers, journalists, and police officers through its School for Justice program.

The evening ended with a standing ovation, heartfelt conversations, and a powerful call to action—urging everyone to stand with survivors in the ongoing fight. It was a reminder that awareness alone isn’t enough—action, solidarity, relentless support are truly what drive change.

To get involved or support the cause, visit www.freeagirl.us.