Malia Baker Bio, Age, Height, Career, Descendants Chloe Charming, Net Worth & Facts
Malia Baker is a Botswana-born Canadian actress, singer, and activist best known for her roles as Mary Anne Spier in Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club, Gabby Lewis in Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and Chloe Charming in Disney’s Descendants: The Rise of Red and its sequel Descendants: Wicked Wonderland. At just 19, she has built a strong presence in both family entertainment and independent film while advocating for girls’ rights through organizations like GirlUp and She’s the First.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Malia Simphiwe Baker |
| Nickname | None widely used |
| Profession | Actress, Singer, Activist, Producer |
| Birth Date | December 18, 2006 |
| Age | 19 years 7 months old |
| Birth Place | Gaborone, Botswana |
| Nationality | Canadian (Botswana-born) |
| Known For | Mary Anne Spier (The Baby-Sitters Club), Chloe Charming (Descendants franchise), Gabby Lewis (Are You Afraid of the Dark?) |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Tswana father, White Canadian mother) |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Height | 5′ 3″ (1.60 m / 160 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 47–52 kg (104–115 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Dark brown / black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Qualification | Online high school; considered university (gender studies/philosophy) before prioritizing career |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Marital Status / Spouses | Single |
| Relationships | No confirmed public relationships; occasional fan speculation |
| Children | None |
| Family Tree | Mother: Julia Baker; Father: Tswana businessman; Younger sister: Ivory Baker (actress) |
| Hobbies | Reading, writing, record collecting, playing guitar, gardening, watching films/cartoons |
| Current Work | Descendants: Wicked Wonderland (2026), Hair of the Bear (executive producer/star), upcoming projects |
| Years Active | 2018–present |
| Net Worth (est.) | Around $1 million |
Early Life & Education
Malia Simphiwe Baker was born on December 18, 2006, in Gaborone, Botswana, to a Tswana father and a white Canadian mother named Julia Baker. She moved to Canada with her family when she was about two and a half years old and grew up in the Vancouver area. She has a younger sister, Ivory Baker, who is also an actress (Malia coached her for her first audition, which led to a role opposite Adam Sandler).
Baker began performing young, starting with musical theater and dance around age three. She started formal auditioning around age nine. Her mother supported the long drives to auditions in the city. At one point her mother gave her an ultimatum to book a role or move on; a year later she landed her breakthrough Netflix part. She completed high school through online learning and was accepted to university (interested in gender studies and philosophy) but chose to focus on her acting career and a Descendants-related tour opportunity instead.
Career Journey
Beginnings (2018–2019)
Baker made her screen debut in the 2018 Hallmark TV movie Hope at Christmas (uncredited, filling in after another child got pink eye). She followed with guest roles on ABC’s A Million Little Things, The CW’s The Flash (as Alice Bolen), and The Twilight Zone (Young Anna).
Breakthrough (2020–2021)
In 2020 she was cast as the shy, sensitive Mary Anne Spier in Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club. The role brought her widespread recognition, a Children’s & Family Emmy nomination for Outstanding Younger Performer, a Leo Award nomination, and a Kids’ Choice Awards nomination for Favorite Female TV Star (shared with her work on Are You Afraid of the Dark?). She returned for season 2 in 2021 before the series was canceled. That same year she played Gabby Lewis in Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark? revival and starred as Olivia in the Lifetime movie Caught in His Web (executive produced by Whoopi Goldberg).
Descendants Era and Expanding Roles (2022–present)
Baker joined the Disney franchise as Chloe Charming, daughter of Cinderella (Brandy) and King Charming, in Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024). She returned in the sequel Descendants: Wicked Wonderland (2026), exploring a darker side of the character. She has also appeared in related shorts and contributed to the soundtracks.
Other projects include the indie survival thriller Hair of the Bear (2026), which she starred in and executive produced (approached for the role at 13 and gave notes on the mixed-race teen experience); What We Hide (formerly Spider & Jessie, opposite McKenna Grace and Jesse Williams); the Miramax dramedy Harvest Moon (with Paul Bettany); and Thena. She has also done voice work in the video game Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and defended a novel on CBC’s Canada Reads.
Selected Filmography
- Hope at Christmas (2018) – Malia Weir (uncredited)
- The Baby-Sitters Club (2020–2021) – Mary Anne Spier
- Are You Afraid of the Dark? (2021) – Gabby Lewis
- Caught in His Web (2022) – Olivia
- Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024) – Chloe Charming
- What We Hide (2025) – Alexis
- Hair of the Bear (2026) – Tori (also executive producer)
- Descendants: Wicked Wonderland (2026) – Chloe Charming
- Upcoming: Harvest Moon, Thena
Personal Life
Baker keeps her private life relatively low-key. She is currently single with no confirmed long-term relationships. Fan speculation has occasionally linked her to co-stars (including rumors involving Malachi Barton), but nothing has been publicly confirmed by her. She maintains a close relationship with her mother and sister and has spoken about the support system that kept her grounded during early career travels.
She is an avid reader, writer, film fan, and record collector. She has expressed interest in roles like Starfire from Teen Titans.
Dating History / Affairs
No confirmed public dating history. She focuses primarily on career, family, and activism.
Controversies
None of major note. Occasional fan-driven social media speculation about friendships and possible dating within the Disney young-adult circle has circulated, but Baker has largely stayed above the fray and focused on her work.
Awards & Achievements
- Children’s & Family Emmy nomination – Outstanding Younger Performer (The Baby-Sitters Club, 2022)
- Kids’ Choice Awards nomination – Favorite Female TV Star (Kids) (2022)
- Leo Awards nomination – Youth Performance (The Baby-Sitters Club, 2022)
- Leo Awards nomination – Best Lead Performance (Hair of the Bear, 2026)
- Named a Champion for the UN’s GirlUp initiative
- First youth Global Ambassador for She’s the First
- Recognized by Seventeen as a Voice of the Year and by Refinery29 Canada among powerhouses
- UBCP/ACTRA International Women’s Day honouree for social justice contributions
Physical Statistics
- Height: 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m)
- Weight: Approximately 47–52 kg (104–115 lbs)
- Hair: Dark brown/black
- Eyes: Brown
- Build: Slim
Quotes
- On returning to Chloe: “It’s like entering this world as camp counselors this time instead of these nervous campers that we were the first time around.”
- On the trust of creating a new character: “Yes, these are iconic characters, but Chloe Charming has never been done before, which is a lot of trust to put into a person.”
- On her activism platform: “I choose to use my platform for all the girls and women who need it… equal rights, body autonomy, and a life free from violence.”
Favorites
Not extensively detailed publicly, though she has cited classic films (introduced by her father), reading, and music/record collecting.
Earnings / Net Worth
Estimated net worth is around $1 million as of recent reports, drawn from acting salaries (Netflix series, Disney franchise films, Lifetime movie), producing credits, soundtrack work, brand partnerships, and growing social media presence. Exact figures are not publicly disclosed.
Interesting Facts
- She booked The Baby-Sitters Club roughly a year after her mother issued an ultimatum about continuing auditions.
- She coached her younger sister Ivory for her first audition, which led to a role in an Adam Sandler film.
- A Chloe Charming doll was made in her likeness; seeing kids with it still moves her.
- She was a fan of the original Descendants films as a child growing up in Canada.
- She has contributed to conversations on girls’ rights, mental health, equality, and violence prevention.
- She turned down or stepped back from certain tour opportunities to prioritize film work and personal balance.
Did You Know Already?
- Malia Baker was born in Botswana and raised in Vancouver, Canada.
- She began acting classes only about a year before landing the lead in a Netflix series.
- She executive produced an indie film while still a teenager.
- She is a GirlUp Champion and the first youth Global Ambassador for She’s the First.
- Her height is listed as 5′3″ on professional profiles.
Social Media Links
- Instagram: @maliabakermsb (primary acting/personal account; hundreds of thousands of followers)
- Other platforms are less prominently active under her name; she occasionally appears on promotional accounts tied to Descendants and her films.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Malia Baker?
She was born on December 18, 2006, making her 19 years old in 2026.
What is Malia Baker’s height?
She is 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m) tall.
What is Malia Baker known for?
She is best known for playing Mary Anne Spier in Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club and Chloe Charming in Disney’s Descendants: The Rise of Red and Descendants: Wicked Wonderland.
Is Malia Baker in a relationship?
She is currently single. No confirmed public romantic relationships have been announced.
Where was Malia Baker born?
She was born in Gaborone, Botswana, and raised in Canada after moving there as a toddler.
Conclusion
Malia Baker has moved quickly from guest spots and a Hallmark extra role to leading parts in major Netflix and Disney projects while building a parallel path as a producer and advocate for girls’ empowerment. With Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, independent films, and continued activism, she continues to expand her range and influence. Share this biography if you found it helpful—fans of The Baby-Sitters Club and the Descendants universe will appreciate the full picture of this rising talent.
