- Takeaways:
- Netflix’s Members Only: Palm Beach follows five women tied to Palm Beach County but filmed largely off the island.
- Many island residents dispute the show’s claim to Palm Beach prestige and worry about branding and image.
- The series highlights local divides between Town of Palm Beach and neighboring West Palm Beach; producers relied heavily on permits off-island.
H2 — What is Members Only: Palm Beach?
Netflix released Members Only: Palm Beach on December 29. The eight-episode reality series centers on five women—Taja Abitbol, Hilary Musser, Rosalyn Yellin, Marie Cozamanis, and Ro-Mina Ustayev—who navigate charity events, nightlife, and social ambitions in South Florida. Netflix’s official page: https://www.netflix.com/title/81915922
H3 — Filming location vs. Palm Beach identity
Although the show uses “Palm Beach” in its title, most filming took place across Palm Beach County rather than in the Town of Palm Beach itself. Local permitting records and reporting show producers obtained the majority of permits outside the island town, with a heavy presence in West Palm Beach and surrounding areas.
That distinction matters to long-time island residents. Palm Beach developer Todd Michael Glaser likened the series’ labeling to ordering Coca-Cola and getting Fanta — a bite-size way of saying the show feels like a different product dressed in Palm Beach packaging. Some residents told reporters they hoped the Town would distance itself from the series.
H4 — Local reactions: pearls clutched and brand defense
Reactions have ranged from bemusement to annoyance. For some, the series is an inevitable expansion of the “Palm Beach” brand — similar to how “The Hamptons” grew to include multiple communities. For others, the show misrepresents an enclave that tightly controls its image: the Town of Palm Beach bans most chain restaurants and requires council approval for on-island filming.
Critics note that many of the show’s signifiers — flashy cars, loud fashions, and visits to West Palm Beach hotspots — don’t reflect the social rituals prized by upper-crust Palm Beachers. Key island institutions and clubs frequently mentioned in local society were not featured, reinforcing the view that the cast are outsiders aiming for status rather than established Palm Beach insiders.
H5 — What this means for the Palm Beach brand
Palm Beach’s global cachet has surged thanks to headlines about high-priced real estate and high-profile winter residents. That shine makes the town a tempting label for producers and businesses seeking glamour — some West Palm Beach venues already brand themselves with “Palm Beach” to attract attention.
For viewers, Members Only offers familiar reality-TV drama within a sun-soaked setting. For locals, it’s renewed debate about geography, authenticity, and how a place’s name gets used in popular culture. Whether the series reshapes perceptions of Palm Beach or simply proves that the brand continues to expand remains to be seen.
Watch the series on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81915922
Image Referance: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/a69878730/members-only-netflix-palm-beach-local-reactions/
