Sophia Hart
Malia Simphiwe Baker is a Botswana-born Canadian actress who has rapidly become one of the most promising young talents in streaming television and film. Born on December 18, 2006, in Gaborone, Botswana, she moved to Canada as a toddler, and her career has spanned from small, uncredited roles to lead parts in Netflix and Disney+ productions. Known for her portrayals of characters like Mary Anne Spier in The Baby-Sitters Club, Gabby Lewis in Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and Chloe Charming in Descendants: The Rise of Red, Baker combines acting with a growing voice in social advocacy. This article walks through her early life, rise to fame, notable roles, personal background, and what the future likely holds for this rising star.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Malia Simphiwe Baker |
| Date of Birth | December 18, 2006 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 18 years old |
| Place of Birth | Gaborone, Botswana |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnicity / Heritage | Mixed (Tswana/Botswana father; Canadian mother) |
| Height | ~ 5 ft 3-5 in (≈ 160-162 cm) |
| Notable Roles | Mary Anne Spier (The Baby-Sitters Club), Chloe Charming (Descendants: The Rise of Red) |
| Years Active | Since ~2018 |
| Other Ventures | Advocacy, voice work, upcoming film production |
Early Life & Family Background
Malia Baker was born in Botswana to a Tswana father and a Canadian mother. She lived there until age two, at which point her family relocated to Canada. From early on, she was exposed to multiple cultures, which shaped her worldview and artistic sensibilities. Her family includes a younger sister, Ivory Baker, who is also involved in acting, and their mother has been a strong influence in Malia Baker’s artistic and personal growth. Her parents separated at some point; her mother has spoken publicly about being a single mom, which contributed to Malia’s perspective on responsibility from a young age. Sources vary on the father’s name, but what is clear is that her mixed heritage and family support form a central foundation in her identity.
Childhood Discovery: Acting & Moving to Canada
After moving to Canada, Malia Baker quickly showed interest in performance. Whether in local theater, school, or small roles, she pursued acting seriously. She completed a Youth On Camera Acting Certificate program in Vancouver by age 12, which provided her with early training in front of the camera. Her mixed upbringing, moving from Botswana to Canada, helped her adapt to different settings—something she later credits for helping her in auditions and navigating different production cultures. Her family supported her ambition, helping her find early roles and balancing school with auditions.
Beginnings of Her Screen Career (2018-2019)
Malia Baker’s early screen credits are modest but meaningful. In 2018, she made her debut in Hope at Christmas, a television movie, though uncredited. That same year, she began to get small television opportunities. By 2019, she made appearances in episodes of A Million Little Things, The Flash, and The Twilight Zone. These roles helped her gain experience, build confidence, and understand how professional sets operate. These earlier parts helped open doors for her breakthrough.
Breakthrough Role: The Baby-Sitters Club (2020-2021)
Malia Baker’s big break came in 2020, when she was cast as Mary Anne Spier in Netflix’s adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club. The role allowed her to carry a central character—shy, kind, thoughtful—and to show emotional depth. She performed in both Seasons 1 and 2, until the show’s cancellation in 2022. Her portrayal received praise for its sincerity and relatability. This role greatly boosted her visibility among young audiences and in the industry. It remains one of her signature roles.
Other Television Roles & Early Recognition
Parallel to The Baby-Sitters Club, Malia took on roles in Are You Afraid of the Dark? playing Gabby Lewis, which allowed her to explore genre acting in a horror-anthology format aimed at youth. These roles widened her range and added diversity to her resume. Her early appearances in A Million Little Things, The Flash, and The Twilight Zone helped bolster her foundational experience. Awards nominations followed; she was nominated for Favorite Female TV Star at the 2022 Kids’ Choice Awards for her work in The Baby-Sitters Club and Are You Afraid of the Dark?.
Transition to Film: Caught in His Web and Descendants
Malia Baker’s work transitioned from television to film with roles like Olivia in Caught in His Web (2022), which is more dramatic and real-event driven. Her part in Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024), where she plays Chloe Charming, marks a major film role—the kind that reaches broad streaming audiences via Disney+. Her character in Descendants: The Rise of Red is the daughter of Cinderella (played by Brandy) and Prince Charming (Paolo Montalban). That role not only increased her profile but also allowed her to demonstrate her singing capacity (via the soundtrack) and musical performance. The film also led to participation in its related sequel Descendants: Wicked Wonderland.
Voice Acting & Soundtrack Work
Alongside her live-action roles, Malia Baker has ventured into voice acting. For example, she contributed to the video game Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora with voice roles. Additionally, with Descendants: The Rise of Red, Malia Baker features on the film’s soundtrack. Her songs, such as “Love Ain’t It”, “Fight of Our Lives”, and “Get Your Hands Dirty”, showcase her vocal range and ability to manage dual acting/singing responsibilities. These musical credits help broaden her appeal and demonstrate versatility beyond acting alone.
Education & Training
Although detailed public information about her schooling is limited, several sources note her completion of the Youth On Camera Certificate in Vancouver around age 12. This specialized training helped polish her onscreen presence, including confidence with cameras, action-reading, and audition techniques. She balanced acting with schooling, and despite increasing fame, maintains a grounded approach to her personal education. Her training background is often mentioned as a factor in her professionalism and capacity to handle demanding roles.
Heritage, Ethnicity & Identity
Malia Baker is of mixed heritage—her father is from Botswana (Tswana people), and her mother is Canadian. She was born in Botswana and moved to Canada at a very young age. This multicultural identity plays an important role in how she views her place in the entertainment world. She has spoken in interviews about her desire to represent characters of color authentically, and to be a role model for biracial youth. Her identity is tied into her activism and the kinds of roles she chooses.
Personal Life & Family Relationships
Malia Baker has a younger sister, Ivory Baker, who is also in the performing arts. Her mother, Julia Baker, has been publicly supportive and involved in her career; in some interviews, Malia Baker has acknowledged the emotional and practical support her mother provides. Her parents’ separation has been acknowledged, and Malia has shared how growing up in a family of mixed cultures and having to adapt has shaped her resilience. Though she is in the public eye, she keeps many aspects of her private life relatively low-key, focusing public attention on her work and her values rather than personal drama.
Public Image, Style & Persona
Malia Baker’s public image is that of a grounded young artist: kind, thoughtful, and ambitious. She is often praised for her authenticity, her ability to connect with young audiences, and her calm professionalism even in high-profile settings. Her style is youthful and expressive—usually age-appropriate, with a strong sense of trend and identity. She also has a presence on social media, where she shares both personal reflections and promotional content, often speaking on representation, identity, and social issues. Her ability to balance charm with seriousness sets her apart.
Achievements & Awards
- Kids’ Choice Awards 2022: Nominated for Favorite Female TV Star for her roles in The Baby-Sitters Club and Are You Afraid of the Dark?
- Leo Awards: She won a Leo Award for Best Performance in a Youth or Children’s Program or Series for The Baby-Sitters Club. vadastudios.com+2IMDb+2
- Emmy nomination / Family Emmy: Her role in The Baby-Sitters Club earned her recognition in youth performance categories. IMDb+1
These achievements highlight her acting skill early in her career and set her up for higher opportunities.
Advocacy & Off-Screen Work
Malia Baker uses her platform to advocate for representation, equality, and youth empowerment. She has been vocal about girls’ and women’s rights, equity in media, and having biracial identity represented authentically. She also participates in initiatives like GirlUp and other youth ambassador roles. Off-screen, she reads, writes, and engages in discussions around social justice and identity. Her advocacy provides depth beyond her acting roles and aligns with her desire to influence change.
Challenges & Growth
Growing up in the public eye comes with challenges. Malia has spoken in interviews about balancing normal teenage life with career demands, handling rejection during auditions, managing self-expectation, and staying grounded. She has also had to adapt to rapid changes—moving between sets, touring (for Descendants and related promo work), and oscillating between acting, singing, and public appearances. She has shown growth in selecting roles that resonate personally and in using her voice about representation and diversity, not just taking every opportunity but being thoughtful about impact.
Recent Projects & What’s Next
As of 2024-2025, Malia Baker has several projects lined up or recently released. Descendants: The Rise of Red brought her into a broader Disney+ film world. Descendants: Wicked Wonderland is set to follow. She is also attached to films like Harvest Moon, Spider & Jessie (also known under titles like What We Hide), Thena, and Hair of the Bear, the latter of which she is reportedly executive producing. These upcoming roles suggest a transition not only into more substantial acting parts but also behind-the-camera responsibility. Her journey is clearly stepping into bigger creative leadership.
What Sets Malia Baker Apart
Several traits make Malia Baker stand out even among many rising young stars:
- Versatility: she acts, sings, and voices characters.
- Multicultural identity: her Botswana roots plus Canadian upbringing give her a global perspective.
- Selective role choice: she balances popular mainstream roles with projects that offer creative or personal resonance.
- Advocacy: not just a face on screen, but someone who uses her platform.
- Professional training early on: the acting certificate, early roles, voice/singing work – all building a strong foundation.
These qualities suggest she is not just a young star, but possibly someone who will have longevity in her career.
Internal Linking Suggestions
- Explore The Baby-Sitters Club (Netflix series) and its cast journeys.
- Read about Youth Actors in Streaming Television and how generation Z stars are shaping content.
- Learn about Actors of mixed heritage in Canadian entertainment.
Conclusion
Malia Baker’s story is one of early promise, thoughtful growth, and expanding horizons. From a childhood in Botswana to an acting certificate in Vancouver, then breakout roles in Netflix and Disney+ projects, she has steadily built a career on authenticity, talent, and values. Her performances—especially as Mary Anne Spier and now as Chloe Charming—underscore both emotional depth and star power. Off camera, her advocacy, mixed heritage, and growing leadership hint at a young artist who is not content with just acting: she aims to inspire, represent, and lead. As her upcoming slate of roles and behind-the-scenes work indicate, Malia’s journey is far from over—and the world is watching.
FAQs
1. Who is Malia Baker?
Malia Baker is a Botswana-born Canadian actress known for roles such as Mary Anne Spier in The Baby-Sitters Club, Gabby Lewis in Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and Chloe Charming in Descendants: The Rise of Red.
2. How old is Malia Baker and where is she from?
She was born on December 18, 2006 in Gaborone, Botswana, and moved to Canada when she was two years old. As of 2025, she is 18 years old.
3. What was Malia Baker’s first major acting role?
Her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Mary Anne Spier in Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club, appearing in both of its seasons until its cancellation in 2022.
4. What other film or TV roles has she taken on?
Besides The Baby-Sitters Club, she has also played Gabby Lewis in Are You Afraid of the Dark?, appeared in A Million Little Things, The Flash, and taken on film roles like Caught in His Web and Descendants: The Rise of Red.
5. Does Malia Baker also sing or perform musically?
Yes. She contributed to the Descendants: The Rise of Red soundtrack, singing several tracks. Her work spans acting and singing, giving her a broader creative range.
6. What upcoming projects is Malia Baker involved in?
She is attached to several upcoming films including Harvest Moon, Spider & Jessie (also known under What We Hide), Thena, and the indie drama Hair of the Bear, where she also has a producing role.
7. What causes does Malia Baker support outside of acting?
She advocates for representation, equality, and youth empowerment. She has been involved with youth initiatives and has used her platform to speak about biracial identity, diversity in media, and the importance of using one’s voice for positive change.
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