dress. Sara Wong
earrings. Still Life
opposite
earrings. Still Life
Stepping into the spotlight, Malia Baker is making waves with her dynamic talent and undeniable charm. Known for her roles in The Babysitter’s Club and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Malia now brings fresh energy to Descendants: The Rise of Red as Chloe, a character she’s crafted from scratch. Speaking with Schön!, Baker shares her excitement about the creative freedom she had with Chloe, highlighting the fun in developing a brand-new character. Opening up about her deeply personal connection to her role in Hair of the Bear, where she portrays Tori, a character navigating anxiety and survival, reflecting some of Malia’s own experiences.
In conversation with Schön!, Baker discusses her role in Descendants: The Rise of Red, her advocacy work as a global ambassador for She’s the First, and more.
Descendants: The Rise of Red has garnered immense attention with its trailer. How did you prepare for your role in a franchise with such a dedicated fan base? And what was the most exciting part of playing your character in this film?
I think the most exciting part about playing Chloe in this film is that there was nothing to tie her to that world already, you know? We had little glimpses of Cinderella and what her life could have looked like, but no actor played her before. She was brand new, so I had so much fun working with her and seeing how she would interact with her parents, friends, and the people she loves. Her arc throughout the entire movie was just a lot of fun to invent with the creators. Preparing for a role in this franchise is something you can’t fully do. I was such a big fan of the “Descendants” series growing up, so knowing that and holding that continued legacy mindset in my head was all I could do. You can just hold the love and try not to make yourself go insane and just continue down the road as time goes.
In Hair of the Bear, you tackle the complex issue of anxiety and survival. Can you share how you connected with Tori’s character and the challenges you faced portraying such a nuanced role?
Tori is so similar to me in so many ways. At a certain period in my life, I felt like I was Tori. I first read that script when I was 14 years old, and I resonated with her so much. I was like, “I need to do this. Please give me a call with the directors.” I have this huge fear of bears, and it all just felt like it aligned so weirdly in my world.
I got on the call with the directors, and the first question to me was, “Why should we give you this role?” I was like, “Shoot, you’re going to hit me with the hard questions right off the bat.” But I told them, “I don’t think anybody’s going to play this role with the level of authenticity and roughness and be okay with the level of discomfort that comes with another side of anxiety that we don’t often see in film.” I had a similar experience when I was younger caused by anxiety. It was a chronic regional pain syndrome that manifested in my body, and I couldn’t walk for about a year. Going through that at a young age made me feel like my life was over.
I see myself in Tori, and I hold a lot of love for her character. I feel like there are a lot of Toris in the world, and seeing characters like her gives us a little bit of hope, even if we’re going through tough times.
Exactly. It’s reflecting so many personal stories and common points. I think that’s the most important thing to have.
Totally, I agree.
leather dress. Esquina
shoes. Alevi
ring. Still Life
opposite
knitted top. Suss Knits
denim skirt. Tanaka Vintage
As an executive producer for Hair of the Bear, what insights or perspectives did you bring to the project? How did this role differ from your previous acting experiences?
It differed a lot. For one, we were on a frozen lake for half the film, which I’ve never done before and never want to do again. If someone calls me up and says, “Hey, three months on a frozen lake,” I’ll turn it down. This project definitely got me out of my comfort zone, but in the producing space, it showed me that I was able to have a voice on set that was valued and heard. It was an equal playing field with people I admire. It also made me realize how responsible I was for how the set operated. If you weren’t ready to show up one day, it just didn’t work. Making a movie requires equal effort from everyone involved.
It must have taught you so much. I think you have more experience in the U.S. part, right? Was this your first time doing something in Canada?
I did The Babysitter’s Club in Canada, but it was through a U.S. corporation. This was my first true Canadian project, which is funny because I’ve lived here most of my life. It was a nice homage to growing up and experiencing familiar things, like snacks I know, and not needing a dialect coach to sound more American. It was fun.
Your work as a global ambassador for She’s the First and Girls Up Champion is inspiring. Can you discuss a particular moment or project within these organizations that deeply impacted you and your advocacy work?
Honestly, the first time I met them was the most impactful moment. I found a sense of community that I hadn’t resonated with so deeply before. Being a girl in this industry, I was 12 when I was told to get back on social media and post four times a week to connect with my audience. There’s a whole social media training at that age, and it’s overwhelming.
With Girl Up, I was flown out to D.C. last year to do a panel with Monique Coleman, who I admired. It was my first time seeing these people in person and feeling the excitement and community they’ve built. She’s the First has given me opportunities to speak on different topics that I wouldn’t normally get to discuss. For example, we’re doing a panel this month on “Beyond the Glass Slipper,” talking about Cinderella as a modern-day girl, which ties into my character. I’m very grateful to be a part of both organizations.
It must be challenging to start at such a young age.
Yes, going through puberty is hard enough, and then doing it on social media is a whole other level. I think about kids entering the industry now, probably as young as nine, and on social media. It’s a crazy reality.
Having been recognized by Seventeen Magazine and Refinery29, how do you use your platform to influence positive change, and what message do you hope to impart to your young fans?
Social media is a double-edged sword. There’s the great side where you see amazing inspiration, and then there’s the side where you wonder, “What did I get myself into?” I’ve been on both sides. I try to focus on the positive, but sometimes you have to share the honest truth, even if it’s sad. I started using my platform as a space for others because it made sense to me. I didn’t want to be posting selfies all day. When I was 12, I didn’t understand why people were interested in what coffee I had that morning. So I decided to use my platform for a bigger purpose. Right now, with Descendants, the main message I’m trying to push is that our differences don’t matter as long as we reach a shared goal. That’s the main story throughout the film, and I hope people catch on to that and relate to it.
Reflecting on your performances in The Babysitter’s Club and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, how have these roles shaped your career, and what lessons have you carried forward in your recent projects?
Those roles shaped my life. I wouldn’t be acting if I hadn’t done The Babysitter’s Club. That was the role. As a single mom, my mom made sacrifices to get me to auditions. She believed in me and gave me a year to book something big, and I did with The Babysitter’s Club. It changed my life and showed me I could do this. I love those sets and projects. They made me more experienced and were so much fun. Those are the only two projects where I worked with kids my age, which was a blessing. It was my version of middle school, and I’m grateful for that experience.
Your mother’s support sounds strict but I think it gave you the discipline needed for this industry.
Yes, if I think about it from her perspective, I understand her fears. She’s been my grounding source through this whole journey. Without her, I would be lost. So, thank you, Mom. She’s incredible.
With such a diverse range of roles under your belt, what genres or types of characters are you most eager to explore in the future? Is there a particular story or message you hope to tell through your work?
I want to explore all genres if I can. I enjoyed the action in “Hair of the Bear” and would love to do more of that. I also want to work with different directors and people I admire. I’d love to direct someday. Whatever happens, I’m grateful to be here now and excited for the future.
I hope you achieve even more in the future. It’s already a big thing!
Thank you. I’m happy to hear that!
dress. Oseres
earrings. Still Life
opposite
top. With Jean
jeans. Tanaka Vintage
sunglasses. Poppy Lissiman
Descendants: The Rise of Red is out now.
photography. Pooya Nabei
fashion. Magdalena Bryk
talent. Malia Baker
hair. Miles Jeffries @ The Wall Group
make up.Pircilla Pae @ A Frame Agency
interview. Alper Kurtel
