The CW's superhero series Black Lightning concluded in 2021, after airing for four seasons. The news that the show wouldn't be renewed for a fifth season came as a shock to fans. However, it wasn't as shocking as China Anne McClain's announcement, that she was set to leave the show, way before she knew about the cancellation. Her reason for leaving was because she wanted to focus on other projects and "do God's work."
McClain is a devout Christian whose religious views landed her in the Internet's time out corner in 2021. The star whose garnered a huge TikTok following often shares videos about her faith. It was China's perceived criticism of Lil Nas X's Montero music video that had some fans up in arms. She received backlash on social media over her views. But how did all that lead to her quitting Black Lightning?
China Anne McClain Is A Former Child Star
Most people recognize China Anne McClain from her work on The Disney Channel. She starred in everything from The Descendants franchise and A.N.T Farm to How to Build a Better Boy and K.C Undercover. She was a child and already had a successful career, boasting an impressive resume. What is the Disney Descendants star is doing now? She keeps her fans up to date with life on her social media accounts.
China has been acting since she was seven years old, her breakout role was in the 2005 movie, The Gospel. It was Tyler Perry's House of Payne that gained her recognition in 2007. McClain has had a steady career since she burst onto the scene.
She has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Adam Sandler and Tyler Perry. McClain was also a permanent fixture on the Disney Channel. She went from small appearances to featuring in her own shows, her most recent gig with the network being Descendants: The Royal Wedding in 2021.
The 23-year-old is also a singer who comes from a musical background. Her father is a music producer and her mother is a songwriter.
China Left 'Black Lightning' To 'Do God's Work'
In 2021, the star dropped a bombshell. Following the announcement that her show Black Lightning would be coming to an end. China revealed that she was set to leave the show long before news of its conclusion came to light.
The CW series premiered in 2018, and McClain played Jennifer Pierce/Lightning for all four seasons. The CW attributed the show's cancellation to poor ratings and viewership.
McClain took to Instagram to announce that she was leaving Black Lightning to focus on other projects and to "do Gods' work.
She revealed, "This was gonna be my last season, regardless of if it went on or not. For different reasons that, to be honest, I don’t want to go into. I just want y’all to trust me on it. I’m not leaving because I had a terrible time working at the CW. People that know me, they know why I make the decisions I make."
She went on to say, "They also know I never make a single one of them to hurt anyone or to affect anyone negatively. But I am doing God’s work now, and that is all I’m doing. I don’t know why I was wasting time before."
Her IMDb page doesn't indicate any future projects, however China has a production company. During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, the Disney alum revealed that she had a lot of ideas and was ready to take on a new venture.
Perhaps she's working behind the screen these days. Her hard work over the years definitely paid off, she reportedly has $2 million net worth, so she's not hurting for cash.
China Anne McClain's Religious Beliefs Earned Her Backlash
China is a woman of faith and isn't afraid to air her views. She has a huge TikTok following, where she shares videos with more than 16 million followers. She has shared videos proclaiming her faith. Not only that, but she's also shared videos calling out and exposing the entertainment industry.
In March 2021, Lil Nas X released the music video to his song Montero, which was condemned for its religious imagery, demonic iconography, and raunchy theme. China also weighed in on this, criticizing people dressing up as Satan and demons. Fans felt that she was referencing Lil Nas X's Montero video, even though she didn't mention him.
In October 2021, China and her sisters made a remake of her 2011 hit song 'Calling All the Monsters' for Halloween. Fans called the star hypocritical for portraying the same things she spoke against.
Furthermore, she was ridiculed for condemning the same industry she's benefited from. A Twitter user commented that China should donate her money to charity.
"If she believes this, then why doesn’t she leave the industry, donate all of her money to charity, sell her house, and move out of LA? Oh wait, she won’t."
Her fans have stood by her side and often retweet, share, and duet the video to social media, and are in agreement with her sentiments, even if they were disappointed that she left Black Lightning prematurely.