Hey Everyone, I added a new movie poster for Daddy’s Little Girls!! The movie features the 3 McClain Girls (Sierra, Lauryn and China Anne). Don’t forget to see Daddy’s Little Girs which hits theaters Feb 14th!

Friday, January 05, 2007
MARIE LEECH
News staff writer

When people ask Annie McClain about her three granddaughters, they better be ready to see the promotional headshots and hear a rundown of their resumes.

“I don’t think I brag,” said McClain, principal of Montevallo Elementary School. “Well, at least I try not to, but I am very proud of them.”

A lot of grandparents are proud, but McClain has reasons most people don’t. Her granddaughters, who live in Atlanta and range in age from 8 to 12, are the title stars of writer-director Tyler Perry’s new movie, “Daddy’s Little Girls,” set for release on Valentine’s Day. Perry’s last two movies, “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” and “Madea’s Family Reunion,” each opened in the No. 1 slot at the box office.

The sisters – Sierra McClain, 12, Lauryn McClain, 9, and China Anne McClain, 8 – play the daughters of a single father who falls in love with a successful lawyer, played by Gabrielle Union. The relationship hits a snag when his ex-wife comes back into his life and threatens to take away the children.

This is not the first movie for China, who played the daughter of the leading character in “The Gospel” two years ago.

Since then, her career has taken off. She starred in 10 pilot episodes of “House of Payne,” a TV sitcom directed by Perry. The show was picked up by TBS for 100 episodes, and she will begin filming next month. China also just finished filming “A Dennis the Menace Christmas” in Montreal. A release date for that movie hasn’t been set.

“She’s already a member of the Screen Actors Guild,” Annie McClain said. “Her career has been on the move ever since.”

“Daddy’s Little Girls” is the first big break for Sierra and Lauryn. It almost didn’t happen, said father Michael McClain, who grew up in Montevallo and is a music producer in Atlanta.

“After China filmed `House of Payne,’ Tyler Perry really took a liking to her and ended up writing a movie called `Daddy’s Little Girl,’” he said. “While he started the movie, he met my other two daughters and changed the movie from `Daddy’s Little Girl’ to `Daddy’s Little Girls.’”

The talent of the McClain girls doesn’t end with acting. They formed a musical trio called 3 McClain Girls and have an album coming out this year, Michael McClain said.

“I never expected the acting thing to happen; it was never a priority,” he said. “I’m in the music business, so I’ve been working with them for a long time.”

A friend of Michael McClain’s happened to be over at the house one day and heard China sing. He was friends with the director of “The Gospel” and knew the makers of that movie were looking for a little girl to play one of the roles.

“He suggested she audition, and we went the day of casting,” Michael McClain said. “We’d pretty much written it off, but, four or five months later, they called and said they wanted her.”

Sturdy area ties:

The McClains have strong ties to Montevallo. Annie and her husband, Johnny, have lived there for 41 years, and their three children grew up there. Johnny McClain was principal of Montevallo Middle School for 20 years before retiring in 2005. He served in various capacities in Shelby County schools for 40 years. This is Annie McClain’s first year as principal of Montevallo Elementary School, but she has worked in Shelby County schools for 25 years.

Michael McClain said neither the money nor the prospect of fame has gone to his daughters’ heads.

“China does have a diva side to her, but she had that before she ever got into acting,” he said. “But she is also a very generous girl.”

Annie McClain said she doesn’t expect the girls to get spoiled by the experience because her son and his wife, Shontell, are wonderful parents.

“They still have morals and values, and they teach those kids those same morals and values,” she said. “At first I was concerned because the whole Hollywood thing can be such a rat race, but I know my grandchildren have very good parents. I couldn’t be a more proud grandmother.”

Hey Everyone!!! I’m so sorry for not updating lately, my schedule during the week has changed up a bit and it’s not easy getting used to or finding time for ALL of my websites. I hope that soon I can work something out, but for right now I may just update on weekends. I hope you understand!

UPDATES:

I have updated the gallery of Ca’Shawn Sims with 9 new pictures of her at the IMANI fashion show event; she modeled for Baby Phat with Chelsea Tavares who is also in some of the pictures!

There is a new poster from the movie Daddy’s Little Girls with the 3McClain Girls on movie’s official site. You can check it out by going there, it is sooo sweet!!! I love it!

Much Thanks 2 the parents of all these girls Mrs. Sims & Mrs. McClain for the updates.

There is a new poster of the 3 McClain Girls (Sierra, Lauryn & China Anne) for the movie ‘Daddy’s Little Girls’, I think that the poster is really beautiful. You can see it in the gallery.

Thanks 2 Mr. McClain!

There’s a trailer online for the Tyler Perry movie “Daddy’s Little Girls”. You have to see this Trailer, it has our girls Sierra, Lauryn and China Anne McClain [3McClain Girls] all through it! The movie looks good and it looks like the girls will have a huge part! I can’t wait to see it in theaters. It’s out on Valentines Day!

To view the trailer go to the official site at www.daddyslittlegirlsmovie.com

I’ve added 12 captures from the trailer to the girls gallery if you want to check those out!