Malia Baker

Interview by Carol Wright |Photographer: Britney Gill Photography |Styling Credit: Leila Bani |Hair: Tania Becker |Make-Up: Emily Cheng

Malia Baker is making her mark as an up-and-coming rockstar in young Hollywood. Playing an iconic character in the Netflix series The Baby-Sitters Club, Baker brings the classic, best-selling book series to life through her portrayal of Mary-Anne Spier. Her character explores modern themes of family, friendship and community, all while seeking to find her identity and voice in the world, mirroring Baker’s own journey into the entertainment industry.

Growing up as a dancer, you probably had to perform often. Did this make the transition to acting easier?

I do think that the transition made it easier since I was performing for each one. I found that dancing was a little more nerve-wracking because you only had one shot! Acting is more, as I like to say, nerve-xciting!

You getting cast as Mary Anne in The Baby-Sitter’s Club gives Black girls the chance to see themselves in the BSC universe. Was that something that you role?

When I got the audition, I was of course freaking out from the beginning. My mom and I were totally spinning out of control with excitement, but I found that it was so amazing that they made Mary Anne into this Black character because I loved the books and growing up, I didn’t see any Black girls on television with curly hair and all. Oftentimes we see Black girls made to straighten their hair to look more acceptable and I’m so happy to play a small role in just that touchpoint for young girls. When Mary Anne in episode four takes down her hair from her braids and finally we see her curly hair, I feel that’s such an important moment and I’m so grateful that I got to be a part of that and a part of that experience for the next generation that’ll hopefully grow up watching the series.