China Anne McClain InfluANTces
China Anne McClain "influANTces"
On Friday, February 1, 2013, A.N.T. Farm will celebrate African American History Month in the new episode titled "influANTces."
Chyna and the ANTs are tasked with creating a special project. As Chyna struggles to write a song for her presentation, she decides to lock herself in a recording booth until she comes up with a great song. After accidentally falling asleep, Chyna takes a dream journey back in time where she becomes famous African American music icons from the past: Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, and Janet Jackson. Using her dream as inspiration, Chyna writes a new version of the A.N.T. Farm theme song with lyrics that pay tribute to the great women who came before her.
We talked to China Anne McClain, the actress who plays Chyna, about her life and what African American History Month means to her.
China: The A.N.T. Farm episode "influANTces" is about my character, Chyna Parks, struggling with a Black History Month assignment for school. She wants to write a song about all of the amazing African American female singers for her project, but can't seem to fit it all into a two-minute song! She then goes on a journey that takes her throughout the lives of Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, and Janet Jackson - showing her just how big of an impact they made on her life and others!
Q: Which African American woman in history inspires you the most?
China: First Lady Michelle Obama inspires me the most. She is so classy and never passes up an opportunity to help people. She is also very humble and is nice to everyone! She is an amazing person all around and I want to be like her when I grow up.
Q: Why do you think it's important to recognize African American History Month?
China: It is very important to recognize African American History Month because African Americans have been through so much. We deserve recognition for the amazing accomplishments that we've achieved. You would probably be surprised at all of the incredible contributions African Americans have made to America throughout its history, like Garrett Morgan inventing the gas mask and George Washington Carver inventing peanut butter!
Q: Can you describe each of your costars (Sierra, Jake, and Stefanie) in three words or less?
China: Sierra is crazy and social. Jake is artistic, free-spirited, and fun. Stefanie is stylish and loves skirts! Haha - we are all friends in real life.
Q: What are you working on now in addition to A.N.T. Farm?
China: The biggest thing that I'm working on now other than A.N.T. Farm is an album with my sisters Sierra and Lauryn! We have been recording it for a while, so we are all excited for it to come out this year! Other than that, Grown Ups 2 comes out this year! I am so excited because I actually sing in this movie! It was such a great opportunity and I had so much fun seeing everyone from the first Grown Ups (rated PG-13) again.
Q: What is your all-time favorite book?
China: I am in love with The Hunger Games and The Lying Game books (both for ages 12 and up). Both series are so brilliantly written! I heard very positive things about both books from some of my friends, so when I visited the book store one day, I picked them both up. I definitely recommend them to teens!
Q: What literary character would you like to portray in a movie?
China: It would have been fun to play Rue from The Hunger Games! She is such a cool and cute character and I loved her in the movie. Amandla Stenberg did an amazing job!
Aww. Poor Rue. Leave a Comment with your A.N.T. love!
— Sonja, STACKS Staffer
Photos courtesy of Disney Channel
Wow! Can't wait to see this episode! Big fan! Great job China, Sierra, Jake, and Stephanie! Big fan!
P.S. I <3 The Hunger Games!!!
Comment #1 | Posted by: Emma on January 31, 2013 at 04:00 PM
I am going to watch it!I love janet jackson.
Comment #2 | Posted by: amberblack111 on January 31, 2013 at 04:19 PM
I love the hunger games :D
Comment #3 | Posted by: brainyathena30 :D on January 31, 2013 at 04:45 PM
I LOVE HUNGER GAMES AND THE LYING GAME TO! ANT FARM ROCKS!
Comment #4 | Posted by: ISISRED3 on January 31, 2013 at 04:59 PM
Your awesome I ish iwere u
Comment #5 | Posted by: Angie on January 31, 2013 at 05:12 PM
Wow, you get to sing in Grown Ups 2??!!
How exciting!! Can't wait, YOU are and inspiration
Comment #6 | Posted by: Aaliyah on January 31, 2013 at 05:49 PM
not normally a huge ANT Farm person but i actually want to see this episode. BTW I'm Jewish, and Jews have been through a lot too. And yet u dont see anyone dedicating a month to Jewish HIstory. Why's that?
Comment #7 | Posted by: jgal101 on January 31, 2013 at 07:14 PM
Hello China Anne McClain.You are a great actor on ant farm.I like your partners they are funny.You are a great influeANT.I you know what I mean.I'm in the 3rd grade,I'm 9 years old,and the only thing that matters to me is my family.If you read this I hope your cast know about it to.Because it is about the show.And I'd be glad if you started a profile on scholastic.
Comment #8 | Posted by: Brenda on January 31, 2013 at 08:12 PM
i love ant farm and china is just a great singer for her age. i can not wait till that episode comes Netflix. china is a great high spirited loving kind of girl. i just love her
Comment #9 | Posted by: eeriegirls on January 31, 2013 at 08:16 PM
By the way my scholastic screen name is lavendercake87
Comment #10 | Posted by: lavendercake87 on January 31, 2013 at 08:16 PM
this will be totally AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) shout out to me if you agree :D
Comment #11 | Posted by: redapple239 on January 31, 2013 at 08:20 PM
This is honestly the best contribute made by ANT farm! Think Miss. Mclain has a good goal.
Happy Black history month!
Comment #12 | Posted by: emeraldglad7 on January 31, 2013 at 10:53 PM
I love ANT farm and there contribute to the month of February!
Comment #13 | Posted by: Komal on January 31, 2013 at 10:55 PM
Ant Farm is the best show
Comment #14 | Posted by: Raania on February 01, 2013 at 07:08 AM
go black history!!!!!!
Comment #15 | Posted by: karina on February 01, 2013 at 08:15 AM
she is so pretti
Comment #16 | Posted by: lavenderpolarbear16 on February 01, 2013 at 11:03 AM
OMG! I LOVE WATCHING DISNEY CHANNEL!!! IT IS SO AWESOME AND I CAN'T WAIT TILL THAT EPISODE COMES OUT! THIS IS SUCH A AWESOME WEBSITE TOO! I LIKE THE EPISODE WHERE OLIVE PRETENDS TO LOSE HER MEMORY
Comment #17 | Posted by: Abigail on February 01, 2013 at 11:36 AM
love it
Comment #18 | Posted by: halya on February 01, 2013 at 12:49 PM
i am a huge fan of ant farm can't wait to see it!!
Comment #19 | Posted by: sarah on February 01, 2013 at 03:44 PM
I Love ANT Farm
Comment #20 | Posted by: Athenajade85 on February 01, 2013 at 05:20 PM
I can't wait to see the episode and I love that their honering african-american history month.China Anne Mclain said that on Disney channel.
Comment #21 | Posted by: aquabloodhound507 on February 01, 2013 at 07:09 PM
ALL I CAN SAY IS HI! I LOVE TO SING AND DANCE IM GONNA BE ON AMERICAN IDOL ONE DAY I LOVE YOU CHINA.
PS.IM A GIRL
Comment #22 | Posted by: bluebird4505 on February 01, 2013 at 10:27 PM
LUV DA SHOW<3
Comment #23 | Posted by: Anuhea on February 02, 2013 at 02:43 AM
I LOVE The Hunger Games!!!!!!!!!
Comment #24 | Posted by: FashionCupcake48 on February 02, 2013 at 04:17 AM
yo china big fan!
Comment #25 | Posted by: chasinglightning9 on February 02, 2013 at 08:56 AM