IN CONVERSATION WITH MALIA BAKER

interview by JANA LETONJA

Malia Baker is entering what may be her biggest year yet. After winning over audiences as Mary Anne Spier in Netflix’s acclaimed The Baby-Sitters Club which earned her a Family Emmy Award nomination for “Outstanding Younger Performer,” the Botswana-born, Canadian-raised actress has steadily built one of the most exciting young careers in entertainment, balancing blockbuster franchises with independent film projects and producing work of her own. This summer, she returns as fan-favorite Chloe Charming in Disney’s highly anticipated Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, following the massive success of Descendants: The Rise of Red, which broke streaming records and introduced a new generation of fans to the beloved franchise. Beyond Disney, she has continued to expand her creative ambitions, appearing in acclaimed independent films including Spider & Jessie and starring and serving as executive producer on Hair of the Bear for which she earned a 2026 Leo Award nomination for “Best Lead Performance in a Motion Picture.”

full look VALENTINO

This summer marks your return as Chloe Charming in Descendants: Wicked Wonderland. What excited you most about stepping back into the character?

I think there’s something so special about literally growing up with a character. The milestones in life we get to see her go through on screen aren’t too far off from what happens in real life. I get to learn life lessons the same time as she does, which I think is really beautiful. Getting to revisit her in this new chapter of life was a big blessing, blue hair and all. 

The response to Descendants: The Rise of Red was enormous. Did you anticipate just how passionately audiences would embrace this new chapter of the Descendants universe?

I mean, you always hope for the best, but with such a well loved franchise, of course, there are worries. I was a part of the original demographic who were screaming rotten to the core, like their life depended on it. Getting to be a part of this chapter of the series and impact newer generations in the same way I know my younger sister and I were is a huge honour and privilege. Never will I get sick of seeing little blobs of blue come Halloween. 

Chloe quickly became a fan favorite. What do you think audiences connect with most about her?

I think audiences were able to connect with Chloe’s sense of trying. One thing I greatly admire about her is that she’s not going to get everything right, regardless of how much effort she pours in. She’s not afraid of trying and doesn’t get embarrassed for putting herself out there. I think that’s a huge skill in life. 

dress SHUSHU TONG
shoes LARROUDE

Without giving away spoilers, what can fans expect from Chloe’s journey in this next installment?

I think people can expect the unexpected. She goes through many highs and lows throughout the film and responds in a way that, at least while I was first reading the script, was very surprised by. She enters a whole new era, so to speak, and I’m excited for people’s reactions.

You also traveled across North America with the Descendants x Zombies World Collide Tour, performing in sold-out arenas. What was that experience like?

The tour was a once in a lifetime, pinch me summer I still can’t fully wrap my head around. Truthfully, I don’t think it’ll ever fully register. It both feels like yesterday and years ago. I’ll forever be grateful for that experience. 

dress FANCI CLUB

Performing live in front of thousands of fans is very different from acting on set. What did you learn from that experience?

My perspective is that they are complete opposites. When you film something, most of the time you wait a year to hear people’s reactions or even see if it takes off on its own. By that point, you’ve had to sort of let it go and be at peace with whatever the response is, versus a tour where you get that instant reaction. Getting to actually see the impact of the movies we get to be a part of play out in front of you, by people singing along and doing the choreography with you, meant the world. 

This year you also appeared in Spider & Jessie and executive produced and starred in Hair of the Bear. What drew you toward more independent, character-driven storytelling?

I missed my Indie roots. We actually shot Spider & Jessie the year before Descendants: The Rise of Red, so it's been so special to watch the evolution now. I will always stand by the fact that independent films are made because people choose passion and believe stories like both of those deserve to be told, and I’m so grateful to every believer.

dress SHUSHU TONG
shoes LARROUDE

What did stepping into a producing role teach you about filmmaking from a different perspective?

Getting to executive produce in particular has been a big highlight of this film world. I’ve been on Hair of the Bear since I was 14, so to see the rollout and getting to represent it now, 5 years later, is wild. I’ve learnt it takes time, but the time will go by regardless. Getting to use it towards telling stories is one of this life’s many wonders and blessings. I don’t think I can ever shake the bug now, being fully geeked about every aspect of a production is here to stay. 

You were recognized early in your career through projects like The Baby-Sitters Club and Are You Afraid of the Dark?. How do you feel you’ve grown as an actor since then?

Aw, my little days. A lot has happened since then, and with that, a lot of growing. I feel very fortunate to be able to look back on milestones in my life and have those different eras captured on a screen. I think the more you grow in life, the more you experience and live through, the more you’re able to pour back into it. I was told, “Everybody you meet is a character in a future story to tell,” and I’ve not looked back since. 

full look VALENTINO

As someone who has grown up in the public eye, how have you maintained a sense of balance and perspective?

The three Fs are the code to live by. Family, friends, and fun. Prioritizing time with those that ground me, humble me, and keep my sanity intact, I find reinstalls any perspective that gets lost. Balancing those moments of reflection and surrounding myself with people who’ll keep it real. I’ve learnt you also owe it to yourself to find the fun. One of my best friends and I have the mutual goal of becoming more whimsical, or as we like to say “whimsy,” that we keep each other in check every so often. I absolutely recommend. 

Beyond acting, you’re known for using your platform thoughtfully. What causes or conversations are most important to you right now?

Women's and girls' rights will forever be a staple within not only my platform but also how I live day to day. I’ve been very fortunate in being connected to some incredible organizations from a young age, like being a Girl Up Champion or She’s The First, where I get to be an ambassador. I think we’ve gotten really used to fast, easy, and accessible media that we repost as the most important thing of the day, but unfortunately, it’s just that. A day. That usually gets drowned out by whatever tomorrow brings, so I’ve been more committed to frequency and consistency in real life than what fast engagement can stir up online. 

When choosing projects, what qualities immediately make you want to say yes?

I think any great story has my attention, but the real cherries on top have to be if there are any youth, people of colour, or women creatives involved. Those pillars seem to catch my eye more than anything, not only in a possible relatability sense, but because being one of their believers means more. 

jacket and dress ISABEL MARANT
shoes JIMMY CHOO

As you enter this next chapter of your career, what excites you most about what’s ahead?

I’m just excited for more. More experience, more growth, more learning, and more opportunity. I’ve been very blessed in this short little life so far, and I only hope it continues with more reason to smile. 

TEAM CREDITS:

talent MALIA BAKER
photography JESSE VOLK
styling MARC ERAM at A-Frame Agency
makeup BOBBIE RILEY at Neux Artists
hair MILES JEFFRIES at The Wall Group
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director & interview JANA LETONJA