The Baby-Sitters Club's Malia Baker Plays Who's Most Likely To

How are you today?

I'm doing really well. It's raining in Vancouver, which is kind of the normal, but it's pretty, so I like it. What about yourself? Where are you based?

I'm in I'm in LA.

How did I know? How did yeah.

It's really sunny outside as it was yesterday and the day before.

Oh, so jealous. Oh my god. How often do you like get to come to LA?

Oh, not too often. I went for like the third time just recently, but it was only for like the two days. So it's always brief little moments of it. And a lot of my friends live there, so it's like, oh my god, social life, so much fun. Um, but yeah, the moments that I get there. It's it's beautiful from what I can tell.

Yeah. Do you wanna live in LA one day?

Maybe. I mean, New York is kinda like my up top place. I have a lot of friends down there. So, I don't know. I have to go to college in a few years, so it's just it's thing. Not fun to think about, but yeah, it's there somewhere in the back of my mind.

Yeah. Okay, so Babysitters Club season two's on Netflix.

Yeah, season two is finally out. We started the whole process of season two in January, so it feels like it's been out for a long time. So just so happy that the audience is enjoying it.

Yeah. And what's it like watching yourself on Netflix? Do you watch it?

I do watch it. I was actually having a sleepover with my friend Momo the other day who plays Claudia and our face just showed up on Netflix. And we're like, oh, that's weird. I know. It's like seeing our 12-year-old selves broadcasted to the world and it's just it's surreal for sure. Takes some getting used to.

Oh my gosh, I bet. And your mom was a big fan of Babysitters Club, right, like the original?

Oh, yeah. She she was a huge fan and she still is, which is why she's so excited that I'm a part of it, as am I. Um but yeah, it's a big thing in my family. And so being able to portray my favorite character and the one I related to the most is just it's a dream from true.

And what when you found out that you got cast and you got the part, what did you how did you find out?

Oh my god. We were actually in person at this time. It was in 2019, I think like uh March, and we were at our test audition, and I had finally met all the girls that were auditioning for the same roles. There was like 20 kids there, two for each character. Um and Netflix told some of the other girls that they should go home, like we just had some technical difficulties with this one group and we were like, Netflix having technical difficulties. Okay. Like what? Exactly. So we went in and they told us to like do the scene one more time as we did. Um and then afterwards, the director just said, okay, I just have one note. You guys are the next Baby-Sitters Club. And we were crying and hugging and uh that's just top five experiences for sure.

Yeah. And your mom wasn't in the room for that.

She wasn't in the room. Weirdly enough, she told me the story from her perspective and she just sitting down with the rest of the moms and then they finally heard screaming. And so they thought something happened, so they run to the room and they're like, oh my god. So it was just a big celebration with you and all of us. So it was really cool.

I was gonna say because obviously your mom, I knew was a big fan, so it's like one of those things like obviously you're very excited, but I wonder like when you walked out of the room if she was like, wait a second. Like my daughter. Right. It's like two times me and understandably so. That is so crazy. And looking back and watching the show, what was your favorite outfit that you wore?

So hard. I mean, season Maryanne had her own little storyline going with her outfits. She was finding herself and, you know, the whole storyline of how she presents herself. I thought was really cool to how she actually is throughout the season. Um but yeah, I feel like my favorite outfits was in the second season while we were, oh, what is it? While I was out with my date with Logan. I feel like that was a really cute outfit. That was very Maryanne but still chic.

That's so cute. And what other cast members do you think you talk to the most?

Oh my god, all of them. I I had to put my phone on do not disturb. There there's that but yeah, they they we're all very, very close in real life. Those are like the people that I reach out to the most are Momo and Shay, but honestly, it's because they're the closest. So it's like, okay, finally some people I can actually talk to, but everyone, absolutely everyone. It's just a wonderful family to be a part of.

Do you have a group chat with everybody?

We have like three. They're all the most weird names, too. There's like they what's the name of the main one? Yeah, there's one that's called bread not war. I think it was because I was talking about the love for bread one time and they were like, yes, peace in life. And that's just decided it. And then there's just one that says the flower seven. And honestly, I don't know how we came up with these names, but they're there and they're permanent apparently.

Yeah. That's so cool though that you because there you didn't know them prior, right? You had literally no idea who they were. And so like you get put in a position where you're on a Netflix show together, which obviously very few people can say that they're on a Netflix show, but like they're actually your friends. You know what I mean?

Oh yeah, 100%. Uh-huh. It's a very unique experience being able to connect with these girls on such a level, but yeah, it's one that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Yeah. And behind the scenes, what did you guys do for fun? Like, did you make TikToks? Did you take selfies?

Yeah, we did a lot. What the one thing that we learned from the first season is how much content you need to have throughout going into towards like, oh, it's about to release. Here's some photos because we just forgot about them, you know. We're having fun. We're just talking all the time. Um but throughout the second season, we were like, oh my god, let's take a photo. And it was just it was really nice because I hadn't seen them in like two years. So just trying to rebuild the things that I would have done if they were here. Um photos, TikToks, crafty, which is like this food tent that you go to. That was kind of like the 24/7 for us. As as healthy as it sounds, that was what it was. Um yeah, just spending time with them.

Yeah. Oh my gosh, that's so cool. Like I can't even imagine. Plus, when did you film the second season? In January?

Yeah, we started we started the whole process in January, but we actually got to filming around, oh god, I think it was like uh June-ish, I think. Yeah. February. Oh my god, completely off the rails. It was February. June, you know, whatever. But yeah, exactly. It was around that time and it feels weird that it's still this year. It feels like this year's gone by so fast. So quick. So long as well. It's weird.

Oh my gosh. When will you see them again, do you think? Do you have any plans?

I hope soon. I really, really hope soon. I mean, like I said, I just had a sleepover with Momo, so it was nice seeing her. Um but for the state kids, I I have no idea. I really hope soon. I mean, there's a potential LA project coming soon, so who knows? But yeah, that that would be amazing.

You experienced severe anxiety, which caused you to lose mobility in your legs at age eight. What was that like and do you think that kind of contributed to why you have such a positive message on social media to spread like awareness about stuff and when people go through that?

For sure. I feel like everyone having their own unique perspectives and kind of outlooks on life and what you've gone through in the past, it kind of shapes you into the person you are today. And um that goes for everyone, whether the biggest trial in your life was, oh my god, I I need to find which pencil I want to do, or um going through something that's, you know, a bit more like, I couldn't walk. And that's it's hard to think about because, you know, it was such a real thing at the time, and it feels like another lifetime ago right now. Um but it kind of shapes me into the person that you are. And I feel like it's taught me a lot of lessons, and I've learned a lot about what I want to do and what I want to do with my time. Um and that kind of builds me up into what I want to do on my platform. And so just being able to do that today, I'm so grateful.

And when you do post about it, have there ever been any messages that you're like kind of like hit your heart different that you're like, wow, I'm like actually really helping people.

100%. There definitely has. And I feel like that goes for almost every post that I do because there's always that few that will DM me and be like, oh my god, here's my story and here's how you benefited me. And it's like, oh, I'm right now. Not tears.

Um but there are those people that kind of just like light up the day, even if they don't know I, even if I don't share it as much as I do, but, uh, it's just like a big warm hug from people that you barely know.

Yeah. Well, that's amazing that you're doing that and you actually use your platform for good.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

And you also, you have a collab with the Girl with Girl Up. What is it? Can you explain it?

Oh, yeah. Girl Up. Oh my gosh. Girl Up. She's the first. Those two have been kind of in my top priorities right now. They're just they're such fun organizations and, um, they've created their own like girl list of priorities. And they're just so well thought out. And I love the fact that they're champion young girls voices instead of having our voices kind of hushed and then being spoken for, you know what I mean? There's just that's a big difference when you think about it, especially stepping into the world and wanting to find your own perspective and be a leader and you have your own goals. It's just it's very inspirational. And the fact that I'm able to able to collaborate with them today, it's it's so much fun.

Yeah. And how did that come about?

They came about I think, oh god. Ah, that was like last year and I did some research into what organizations that I thought I could get in with, what I want to do and what's like the big goal. And Girl Up and she's a first came up and I was just in love right away. And so I reached out to them and then they reached out to me. And I was like, whoa, that's crazy. So here we are today, a year later and still being with them. And it's just a really awesome experience and cool to be a part of.

Yeah. It was a mutual love. You both wanted each other. You both wanted to do that.

For sure. It came from a standpoint of wanting to do the work. So it was just a perfect kind of equalizer in what we want to do for the world.

Yeah. And what is an end goal for you? So would you want to continue like do big movies one day, keep doing TV shows, like, what's what's a goal of yours would you say?

For sure. I think that, uh, I love movies so much. I think the biggest goal for me. Oh god, I don't even know. I'm usually just in the moment. I'm like, what am I doing next? Cool.

I know. It's like a lot to think about. You're like, I don't know. I don't even know what I'm doing tomorrow. Like what am I

100%. It's just it's a lot to think about, but um, I'd love to be in a Wes Anderson film. I'm a big fan of his work. Um all of them I've loved since I was a kid. But just um being able to do movies in the industry, but also use my voice and kind of have an equal part. I'd love to go to university. That would be amazing. And so thinking about that and, you know, having to actually sit down and think about it, which is crazy and so scary. Um but yeah, just uh being happy, going towards the future. And as cliche as that sounds, it's kind of the truth and kind of the underlined goal for everyone doing what they do.

Yeah. Well, it sounds like you got a good head on your shoulders, so you'll be fine. You'll be you'll do fine.

I try. I try.

Okay, we're gonna play a little game related to the Babysitters Club. So it's who is who. So I know you're the only person here from the cast, but you're gonna I'm going to give you a list of scenarios and you're going to choose who from the cast is most likely to do it. But you're included. So like even if you're it's you for all the answers, it's you. You know what I mean? So you you can say you. Okay. All right. And then we'll send this to them and we're going to have them judge you.

Yeah, exactly. I'll send it to the group chat to be like, wow, I see how it is.

Okay. Who's most likely to make the most TikToks on set?

Oh. Probably Shay. Oh, no. Momo. 100%. Even if she doesn't post them, there's about 100 drafts. Yep.

Who is most likely to show up late to set?

I feel like we're all pretty on time. We need to be. The director gets her butt. But ah, if I had to pick someone, that's probably me. I got to be honest, it's probably me.

Uh, who's most likely to relate to their character most in real life?

Oh my gosh. Yeah. We all definitely relate to our character a lot, but I feel like, um, I feel like Sophie relates to her character the most, but she's not as mean as Kristy can be. She's a little more.

Yeah, exactly.

She's not that much, I promise.

Who's most likely to go to Harvard?

Oh. Oh, probably probably Momo. She's really smart and she gets things done really easily. But honestly, either one of us is able to do that. I I believe in them. I do.

Um, who's most likely to get prom queen amongst you all?

Shay. Shay. Probably Shay. Oh, no. Annia could do that too. I think Annia or Shay. Or Momo. Honestly, they're all.

All of you. All of them.

They're all so pretty and like nice and popular. Yeah.

You can pick all of them. Um, who's most likely to be the biggest simp in real life? Well, we'll say that.

Oh god. Uh, I think I don't think we've talked about relationships a lot in the Babysitters Club. It's usually like, I need to do this for my career. Blah, blah, blah. Talking about that. And if not, then it's stupid things. Like, do you want to make a TikTok with me? Right. Biggest simp, whatever it is. I feel like that could be Vivian, even if it's just for like a costume or like the food. She would just love it so much. Yeah.

I love it. I love how you guys are, it's like all like career or like social media stuff. It's not like, oh, he's so cute or like

100%. There's there's definitely difference. Uh-huh.

Um, who's most likely to give the best advice?

Oh. I think that's me, honestly. I'm usually the one that people come to for a little bit of advice and I I love that role. It's very Mary Anne of me. Very very Mary Anne.

Um, and who's most likely to binge watch season two? Say they hadn't seen it already, but would just like binge it.

Oh my god. Uh, oh god. Um, probably Shay or Sophie. Shay, or Sophie. Yeah. They would like stay up all night just to watch it. They their sleep schedules. I can't even I that's another interview topic. Oh my god. I I I love it.

We are they a different time zone than you?

Yeah, they are. So Sophie is a different time zone, but Shay's the same, which is even more concerning when she texts me like 3:00 in the morning.

Yeah. No, I get it. Um, and what when you watch it yourself, are you watching it like episode by episode? Do you do two here and there? Like what's your method with watching it?

Usually, I do the episodes first that I thought were like so much fun filming. And then I go to more the emotional episodes. I'm like, oh, that actually looks really good. Like I was talking. That's crazy. Um, but then we go into just watching it straight by the book. And either way, it's really fun to watch.

Yeah. Oh, that's that must be so cool to watch yourself literally on Netflix.

It's so weird, but it is very cool. It's definitely a privilege for sure.

I love it. And do we know anything about season three? Any tea?

I wish I could share about season three, but I'll let you know if I do hear anything because, oh, fingers crossed, fingers crossed. That would be so much fun.

For I'm going to cross my fingers for you. Young Hollywood will cross our fingers too.

There we go.

I love it. Just for you. We'll manifest it for you. We'll be great. Write in the journal. Okay. Three the second line. That's perfect. There we go. Well, thank you so much for talking to us.

Of course, thank you. It's so lovely speaking to you. Oh my gosh, you're so sweet, too. Stop.