China Anne McClain is better known for her childhood roles in series like “House of Payne,” “Daddy's Little Girls,” and “A.N.T. Farm.”
These days, she has been mixing up her acting with a music career. The passion for music runs in her family, and she’s ready to take over the industry.
Not surprisingly, she comes from a family of talented musicians. Her father, Michael McClain, is a music producer, and her mother, Shontell, is a songwriter.
MCCLAIN'S LIFE
Born on August 25, 1998, the American actress is one you can't forget if you've watched the Disney Channel any time since 2011. The Disney mainstay has appeared in shows like "A.N.T. Farm," "How to Build a Better Boy," and the popular "Descendants" franchise.
China McClain also has dozens of other roles under her belt, including starring on the T.V. show "House of Payne" for more than half a decade.
McClain's family has always been a constant source of inspiration and motivation from the start of her career. If social media photos are any indication, they are a close-knit unit.
DEALING WITH PAIN AND GRIEF
Although China Anne McClain's life looks complete with a wildly successful dream career, her young life has not been without tragedy.
In 2019, the death of her fellow Disney star, Cameron Boyce, had quite the impact on McClain. Boyce was only 20 when he died in his sleep from an epileptic seizure.
Boyce was one of her closest friends, and after his untimely death, McClain opened up about the devastating loss. In an interview with Teen Vogue, she said:
"Cameron was my first time really coming in contact with death when it came to somebody I really loved and knew closely. I didn't really know how to handle it."
She further revealed that one of the biggest lessons that Cameron Boyce taught her in life was learning to let go.
From then on, she decided to focus on the things around her and focus on every moment. By releasing unnecessary baggage, she has moved on in an industry that often makes it difficult to feel human.
She puts everything on God, and regardless of whatever happens with the industry, McClain is determined to keep on creating things.
CHINA MCCLAIN'S CAREER
McClain started her career in Hollywood pretty early and has already earned herself a Star at Tyler Perry Studios.
China grew up surrounded by different music genres, and she was drawn to the industry since she was very young, as she revealed in an interview with Rolling Out magazine:
“There was always music playing in our house. So, at the age of 3, I was like, ‘I want to be a singer.’ [...] that’s what gave me the love of music that I have today.”
China McClain at the REVOLT and AT&T Summit on October 27, 2019 in Los Angeles | Source: Getty Images
China has showcased her talent in music and acting through different roles in films and television. Her Disney role in “Descendants 2” allowed her to showcase her vocal talent in the song “What’s My Name,” which was certified gold by the RIIA.
Whenever she has free time, she also performs alongside her sisters Sierra and Lauryn McClain as the singing group, McClain.
She confessed that their parents were not entirely happy with their decision to join the entertainment industry because they know how hard it can be.
“Actually, our parents didn’t want us to do this. They know how hard this industry can be, and they didn’t really want us to be a part of it.”
Currently, McClain, who had decided to leave the "Black Lightning" show before the show announced its last season, admitted that she had been so tied up with a screen career has decided not to ignore her other passions in life.
In an interview, she said: "It was time for me to go and focus on some of these other projects that have been in my back pocket for a long time."
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