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 china I am a big fan.:) p.s. My favorite show is a.n.t. farm.:)
Comment #51 | Posted by: cheerfulvenus8 on February 09, 2013 at 08:37 AM
WOW! I'm gonna watch it! :)
Comment #52 | Posted by: clubpurple96 on February 09, 2013 at 08:19 PM
Hey,China!
Comment #53 | Posted by: clubpurple96 on February 09, 2013 at 08:20 PM
hi china i'm a big fan but i like all yr new songs
Comment #54 | Posted by: Redcash69 on February 10, 2013 at 07:07 PM
china ann mcclain is an amazing singer and believes in what she thinks is write. this episode is really an inspiring eposode. its really nice and its really insiring. i think she sings great and is a great actor. lets all follow in her foot steps and make the world a better place.
Comment #55 | Posted by: purpleheart246 on February 12, 2013 at 04:57 PM
i love the show i am good at singing and i love to dance to.
Comment #56 | Posted by: abigail on February 14, 2013 at 10:52 AM
I think the great women that came before her is Whitney Houston.I love her songs and China's,too.
Comment #57 | Posted by: angelaathena282 on February 14, 2013 at 10:57 AM
I love your shows and know what i watch your show every day. I have the whole series of A.N.T farm taped. tell your Partners Sierra Jake Stefanie and the guy who plays your brother that i am a big fan of them too.I wish i can be on your show. Bye China
Comment #58 | Posted by: Samantha on February 16, 2013 at 03:52 PM
That new episode was amazing and I liked how you were some of the ladys who might be still living .
Comment #59 | Posted by: Simone on February 16, 2013 at 09:12 PM
i love china she is awsome i and i'm glade she is celabrating black history month
Comment #60 | Posted by: bulldogbooks25 on February 17, 2013 at 11:33 PM
i love ant farm that is my faveoret epasot
Comment #61 | Posted by: purplepuppy639 on February 19, 2013 at 10:55 AM
that one was my favorite episoide
Comment #62 | Posted by: dancepurple253 on February 19, 2013 at 10:59 AM
i loved you china
Comment #63 | Posted by: icecreambrownie48 on February 19, 2013 at 10:59 AM
ilove your shows china ever sience u became famous i've been better at the gautair by watching you your the best
love your
fan
Comment #64 | Posted by: vanillabrownie9 on February 19, 2013 at 11:01 AM
China should on American idol
Comment #65 | Posted by: blackthor55 on February 19, 2013 at 11:03 AM
i know her from disney i like her music.
Comment #66 | Posted by: kittenflying8 on February 19, 2013 at 11:15 AM
hey girl we are almost the same we can both play the piano, violin,and we can both sing!!! only you are 14 and i'm 11. YOU ROCK!!
Comment #67 | Posted by: Kelly on February 20, 2013 at 08:41 AM
i love yuh china i watch your shows everyday
Comment #68 | Posted by: blackdog1339 on February 21, 2013 at 08:04 AM
yes china yuh is doin the most
Comment #69 | Posted by: blackdog1339 on February 21, 2013 at 08:05 AM
i just LUV your singing! UR my influANTce!
Comment #70 | Posted by: Cate on February 22, 2013 at 06:10 PM
Can't wait to watch it.I'm a big fan.I'm also a big fan of the great person who came before her.It must be Whitney
Houston.(;
Comment #71 | Posted by: angelanthena282 on February 25, 2013 at 10:46 AM
I Love China Ann McClain ... She Is My Favorite Singer Out Of The Girls . I Want To Meet Her Sometimes She Is Very Very Good And A Great Singer!!
Comment #72 | Posted by: purplebulldog378 on February 25, 2013 at 10:47 AM
i like the way she is dressed she looks nice
Comment #73 | Posted by: candyblue437 on February 25, 2013 at 10:48 AM
i love u china anne mcclain i LOVE ur voice and ur songs
Comment #74 | Posted by: cheerfulfashion142 on February 26, 2013 at 11:20 AM
hey china anne mcclain loveeeee
Comment #75 | Posted by: cheerfulfashion142 on February 26, 2013 at 11:21 AM