Anita Baker (63) has always preferred to keep her personal life pretty private, but a few years ago, in 2018, a very popular Disney star and her Moms put the “Sweet Love” legend on front street for all the world to see. If Ms. Baker didn’t know before, she got a quick lesson in what it means to be a celebrity in the day and age of social media, where no one is exempt from being called out for their actions.
Who Is She?
For us, fellow Old Schoolers, who may be reading this and going, ‘Who in the world is China McClain?,’ let us explain. She’s a 22 year old actress who first became known when she starred in Tyler Perry’s 2007 film, “Daddy’s Little Girls,” along with her two sisters and Idris Elba and Gabrielle Union. She also starred in “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” sitcom, Disney’s popular “A.N.T. Farm” series (2011-2014), and currently starring on the new CW Network’s all Black adaptation of DC Comics,’ “Black Lightening.”
Now that we’re caught up on who China is, let’s dig into why she and Anita Baker went back n’ forth on Twitter.
What Had Happened Was…
China took to Twitter to share with her then 3.8 million followers, that Anita Baker reportedly disrespected the hell outta her Mother. She said Anita yelled at her mother, Shontell McClain (49), in public when her moms was simply trying to compliment her.
Apparently, Ms. Baker reportedly mistook Shontell for one of us – regular folks – not realizing her actress daughters all have enough fame and social media followers to bring serious wrath to her reputation. Here’s what China tweeted:
“Wow.. My mom unfortunately just met Anita Baker and she was so rude.. She like, started yelling at my mom for saying she liked her music. Wow. So disappointing. @Iamanitabaker,” China wrote.
Wow.. My mom unfortunately just met Anita Baker and she was so rude.. She like, started yelling at my mom for saying she liked her music. Wow. So disappointing. @Iamanitabaker
— China† (@chinamcclain) April 19, 2018
At first Ms. Baker hadn’t replied to China’s tweet, but then fans started blasting her with comments like these:
@Alisha******: Unfortunate, she’s known for being rude
@passion4*******: Ugh. I’m so sorry that happened. I’m so glad that I had such a positive experience when I met you China.
@CLHdh****: You can’t disrespect anyone’s mother. Ever. For any reason. It doesn’t matter who you are. This IS SO disappointing.
@MYNAME******: Seriously that’s so rude especially when Momma McClain is awesome and so very talented. Smh at Anita Baker
Anita Baker Blasts Back
Anita Baker is never one to take any mess (even if she is allegedly wrong), so I knew it was only a matter of time before she reacted to what China Anne McClain and fans were saying. Here’s what she tweeted at that time:
No1 knew me or Noticed me No entourage No special Attention Just quietly ☺filling out my passport app…. unTIL? A VERY LOUD, person Announces 2 the Entire office, that I'm some V.I.P/which, I am not & AlSO? Announces "They are https://t.co/qJp7njEJtF doing a movie or S'thing" pic.twitter.com/kx6xFf2seg
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) April 20, 2018
Actress Claps Back At Baker Again
China shot back at Anita Baker, to point out the fact that her Moms is accustomed to being around celebrities and knows how to react to one accordingly:
My mother is a pro, Ms. Baker. She knows how to QUIETLY compliment someone, which is what happened (there were only like 8 people there)
However.. God knows the truth. The Word teaches us to love & respect one another and that’s not what you did today. God bless. @iamanitabaker https://t.co/RgfftEDdNL— China† (@chinamcclain) April 20, 2018
Mother Jumps In
After remaining silent as China and Anita Baker went at it, Shontell McClain then politely hopped into the convo’ to tell her side of the story firsthand:
I said in a low, almost whisper, “Miss Baker I love your music.” She got mad saying ‘I’m not Miss Baker, my name’s Miss Wilson!’ Then when I apologized profusely saying Sorry Miss Wilson she started yelling about this moment being a personal, private one & I shouldn’t talk 2 her. https://t.co/qc6gQH9Ifa
— Shontell McClain (@shontellm) April 20, 2018
Who’s Right?
Can I be real with y’all, ILOSM fam?’ I think I actually believe China and her Mother’s side of the story. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a HUGE fan of Anita Baker– always will be…but that doesn’t negate the fact that celebs, just like us regular folks, aren’t perfect. Maybe the R&B legend was having a bad day…or maybe, as I’ve heard before, that’s just her personality.
The unfortunate thing for Ms. Baker, is that she allegedly decided to snap at the wrong fan that day– one whose daughters can blast that side of her personality to millions of fans worldwide. Anywho, who do you believe family?
