The second episode of the new Netflix series Members Only: Palm Beach focused on a major moment in the social season: a pre-launch party for an event so exclusive, it sets the tone for everything that follows. The cast, including Taja Abitbol, Rosalyn Yellin, Hilary Musser, Ro-mina Ustayev, and Maria Cozamanis, brought viewers inside the opulent and tense gathering where high fashion met high-stakes social maneuvering. This early event laid bare the unspoken rules and sharp rivalries that define life inside one of America’s most elite communities.
The series itself premiered on December 29, 2025, with all eight episodes of its first season available to stream globally on Netflix. A real-world premiere party was held at a lavish Jupiter mansion, where the cast celebrated the show’s debut. For audiences, the series promises a look behind the gilded gates of Palm Beach, a place cast member Taja Abitbol has called “Fantasy Island” since she was a child.
Inside the Palm Event Pre-Launch Party
In the episode, the cast arrives at the pre-launch party for what is known as the Palm Event. Taja Abitbol set the scene for viewers, describing it as a cornerstone of the social calendar. “The Palm Event is like a notorious Palm Beach classic event that everyone wants to be a part of,” she said. “Iconic Ferraris, air kisses, high fashionโฆ And it is one of Donald Trump’s favorite events of the season”.
The standards for appearance at such events are astronomically high. In a private interview, Maria Cozamanis broke down the staggering cost of a single outfit, noting that a gown could run $25,000, paired with a $4,000 clutch and $20,000 earrings. She explained the strict rule against repeat outfits, saying, “One gala, and you can never wear it again. Ever. It’s gotta go. Next day, done. If you’re seen wearing it again, then, ohโฆyou poor thing”.
The pressure to dress appropriately created immediate judgment. When Ro-mina Ustayev arrived, Rosalyn Yellin criticized her style in a private moment, commenting on “skirts that are way too short” and “vinyl and pleather”. Rosalyn suggested that fitting in requires conformity, stating, “If Ro-mina wants to fit in, she will have to conform her clothing style to be more Palm Beach because if Ro-mina doesn’t conform, people will not invite her back again”.
Tension Rises as Social Snubs Unfold
The party’s glamorous surface quickly cracked under the weight of personal tensions. A significant moment occurred when Hilary Musser arrived. She greeted other guests but walked directly past Rosalyn Yellin without acknowledgment. Rosalyn, left standing with her friend Hadad, was visibly hurt. “I mean, do you think that she noticed that she was being rude?” Hadad asked.
Rosalyn expressed her frustration, noting she tried to say hello but was ignored. “When the inside is not nice, it doesn’t matter what’s on the outside,” Rosalyn said in a confessional. She described the feeling as terrible, adding that Hilary “could make people feel invisible”. This snub was linked to a previous conflict where Hilary did not invite Rosalyn to her own party.
In her own confessional, Hilary addressed the invitation issue. “I did not invite Rosalyn to my party because I already had invited an entire group of people who are part of the group that she’s really pissed off. And she has to stop, you know, putting me in the middle”. Observing the dynamic, Maria Cozamanis summed it up by calling it a battle between “two queens”.
Mar-a-Lago and Connections to Donald Trump
A recurring theme in the series, highlighted at events like these, is the immense social currency of connections to Donald Trump and his private club, Mar-a-Lago. The club is portrayed as the ultimate status symbol in Palm Beach society. Cast member Ro-mina Ustayev openly discussed the pressure to gain access, saying, “I love going to Mar-a-Lago and being in the same room as the president and Elon Musk, that is such an amazing feeling. You feel like, oh my god, you made it”.
These connections also become a point of contention and rivalry among the women. Gale Brophy, a seasoned socialite featured on the show, claims a long friendship with Trump, even presenting a recommendation letter he wrote for her in 2008. However, other cast members have questioned the depth of these relationships. Taja Abitbol recounted an incident at a Mar-a-Lago party where Gale tried to approach Trump. “The Secret Service had to push her away and it was very embarrassing,” Abitbol claimed.
Hilary Musser, who can see Mar-a-Lago from her house, has been openly skeptical of others’ claims about their access. “I’m sorry but Gale Brophy does not belong to Mar-a-Lago. Rosalyn’s only belonged there for four years,” Musser said on the show. “I’m allergic to phony”. This skepticism fuels ongoing arguments about authenticity and social standing.
Meet the Cast of Members Only: Palm Beach
The series follows five main women, each with a distinct background and approach to navigating Palm Beach’s elite world.
- Hilary Musser: A self-made real estate developer who has lived in Palm Beach for 22 seasons. She is known for her direct attitude and a massive West Palm Beach mansion. Her personal rule is, “Do not look like a social climber. Phony has a stench to it that no one likes”.
- Rosalyn Yellin: A philanthropist who moved to Palm Beach five years ago. She acts as a mentor to Ro-mina but is quick to defend her own status. Her famous fashion rule is, “Darling, don’t show your boobs and your knees”.
- Taja Abitbol: A New York-born wellness entrepreneur and hospitality innovator who has lived in Palm Beach for 6 seasons. She runs a high-end spa and is a stickler for presentation. Her rule is, “Never show up underdressed โ not to the doctor’s office, not to the beach, not anywhere”.
- Ro-mina Ustayev: The youngest of the cast, an entrepreneur and aspiring fashion designer who has been in Palm Beach for 4 seasons. She challenges the old guard, stating, “I believe rules were meant to be broken”.
- Maria Cozamanis (DJ Tumbles): A former tech entrepreneur turned popular Palm Beach DJ, living there for 3 seasons. She sees through the social performativity, remarking, “Everyone here is bending etiquette like it’s Pilates”.
The show also features prominent local figures like Gale Brophy, who is presented as a longtime socialite with a coveted “Book of Legacy,” and Suebelle Robbins, a septuagenarian influencer known as the “Instaqueen of Palm Beach”.
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Lavish Real-World Premiere and Where to Stream
The show’s launch was celebrated with a real-life premiere event befitting its subject matter. On December 30, 2025, a party was held at a sprawling mansion in Jupiter, Florida. The event featured a live DJ, sparkling performers, and the cast mingling with friends and family. Taja Abitbol again expressed her love for the locale, telling attendees, “What is better than Fantasy Island? It’s beautiful. Nobody lives like us here in Palm Beach”.
Hilary Musser spoke about the series’ timing, suggesting a shift in how reality TV is perceived. “I don’t think that reality TV and people’s feelings are the same as they were 10 or 20 years ago,” she said. “I think people see that it can be fun, it can be interesting, Palm Beach is a very special place, and it’s nice to share it with the rest of the world”.
The entire first season of Members Only: Palm Beach is available to stream now on Netflix. The series consists of eight episodes that delve into the friendships, rivalries, and exclusive events that define this insulated world.
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