Twelve year old actress, singer and Georgia peach China Anne McClain may look familiar if you’re a fan of Tyler Perry's House of Payne, if you’re a fan of Disney shows or if you’re a fan of music even! She’s already a multi-talented star on the rise—find out more about her in this bio!
It Runs In the Family
China has really made a name for herself as an actress in the industry, but if you look closer you’ll see that musical talent runs all the way through her family. Her father Michael McClain is a music producer, singer and song writer. He’s well-known for helping produce artists like Solange Knowles’ work. China’s mother Shontell is also a singer-songwriter, and her two sisters Sierra and Lauryn? China’s in a singing group with them! They’re called 3mcclaingirls so that everyone knows they’re sisters! Seems like China couldn't stardom and talent even if she wanted to!
Getting Discovered
China was discovered entirely by chance. A family friend in the entertainment business came to visit one night and China performed a song from a movie she loved—Spykids 2. The friend was bowled over by her talent and remembered that his friend director Rob Hardy was looking for a child who could sing just like China could, so he made a call and China had an audition for the character of Alexis in The Gospel (which she found out she got months after auditioning).
Growing Paynes
The Gospel was just the beginning for China. She soon joined the cast of the hit sitcom Tyler Perry’s House of Payne as the daughter Jazmin Payne, and endeared herself to TV viewers all across North America. Not quite done with movies yet China followed up with a part in Daddy’s Little Girls alongside her sisters. She also played in an episode of Hannah Montana. You may have caught her last year in the movie Hurricane Season, the movie Grown Ups or even as Tina, in The Wizards of Waverly Place. But don’t think she’s forgotten her first love of singing (which got her started acting)—China also appears to sing in JONAS L.A. with the Jonas Bros.!
A.N.T. Farm
After all her hard work China has made it into the Disney roster with some our other fave stars. She landed the lead role of Chyna Parks in the new comedy series A.N.T. Farm, and after practicing her comic timing on House of Payne we’re sure that China will shine through as a true comedienne.
Did you know….
Some of China’s favorite hobbies are singing, dancing and drawing—well singing is probably no surprise!
Here's a sneak peek a the new series A.N.T. Farm!
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