China Anne McClain

China Anne McClain (born 1998-08-25) is an American actress and singer whose talent was evident from a very young age. Raised in Decatur, Georgia, she is the daughter of music‑producer Michael McClain and songwriter Shontell Rucker, and grew up alongside her two older sisters, Sierra and Lauryn, who are also performers. She first stepped onto a film set at the age of seven, portraying Alexis in The Gospel (2005), and soon after landed the role of China James in Daddy's Little Girls (2007). Her breakout television role came as Jazmin Payne on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, a character she would revisit for more than a decade. By the time she was ten, McClain had already appeared in popular shows such as Hannah Montana and NCIS, establishing herself as a versatile young actress capable of both dramatic and comedic performances.

In 2011, she became the star of Disney Channel’s hit series A.N.T. Farm, playing the spirited Chyna Parks and also contributing the series theme song “Exceptional.” The show generated multiple chart‑topping singles, notably “Calling All the Monsters,” which reached the Billboard Hot 100. As a solo artist and member of the sister group initially known as the McClain Sisters (later Thriii), she released gold‑certified tracks like “What’s My Name” from Descendants 2. McClain expanded her repertoire into superhero drama with The CW’s Black Lightning (2018‑2021), portraying Jennifer Pierce / Lightning, and earned acclaim for her recurring role as Uma in the Descendants franchise. Beyond acting and music, she has built a massive social media presence, amassing over 17 million followers on TikTok where she shares makeup transformations, cosplay, and motivational content. Her career, spanning from 2005 to the present, showcases a dynamic blend of on‑screen charisma, vocal talent, and entrepreneurial spirit.