The Rise of Blac Chyna: How a Former Stripper Survived in Kardashian Land

From sidekick to main attraction.

Rags to Riches? - Blac Chyna's come-up has been something major. From her days of "dancing" to dating a Kardashian, she's had a busy few years that helped her survive in the reality TV family's world, thanks largely in part to social media, interesting relationship choices and good selfie skills. Let's take a look at the rise of Blac Chyna.(Photo: Tom Briglia / Getty Images)

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Rags to Riches? - Blac Chyna's come-up has been something major. From her days of "dancing" to dating a Kardashian, she's had a busy few years that helped her survive in the reality TV family's world, thanks largely in part to social media, interesting relationship choices and good selfie skills. Let's take a look at the rise of Blac Chyna.(Photo: Tom Briglia / Getty Images)

Brand Change - Before becoming the "Blac Chyna" we know of today, Angela Renee White (real name) was a stripper and urban model who went by the name "Cream." She changed her name after meeting a client at the strip club where she worked who called himself Black China due to his appearance: he was Black with eyes resembling a Chinese man. She changed the spelling and we soon had Blac Chyna.(Photo: Photographer Group / Splash News)

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Brand Change - Before becoming the "Blac Chyna" we know of today, Angela Renee White (real name) was a stripper and urban model who went by the name "Cream." She changed her name after meeting a client at the strip club where she worked who called himself Black China due to his appearance: he was Black with eyes resembling a Chinese man. She changed the spelling and we soon had Blac Chyna.(Photo: Photographer Group / Splash News)

Branching Out - Before having her own solid brand, Chyna was an up-and-coming model, covering several men’s magazines like Dimepiece and Straight Stuntin’. She then got a bit more attention when Drake mentioned her in his hit single “Miss Me.” Another member of the Young Money family, Nicki Minaj, then recruited the dancer to play her stunt double in the music video for Kanye West’s “Monster.” She was then cast as the lead female in her soon-to-be ex-fiancé Tyga’s video for “Rack City."(Photo: GVK/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

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Branching Out - Before having her own solid brand, Chyna was an up-and-coming model, covering several men’s magazines like Dimepiece and Straight Stuntin’. She then got a bit more attention when Drake mentioned her in his hit single “Miss Me.” Another member of the Young Money family, Nicki Minaj, then recruited the dancer to play her stunt double in the music video for Kanye West’s “Monster.” She was then cast as the lead female in her soon-to-be ex-fiancé Tyga’s video for “Rack City."(Photo: GVK/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Finding Love - Chyna became a figure in pop culture when she began dating rapper Tyga. The two met in October 2011 at the F.A.M.E. Tour after-party with Chris Brown. At the time, Chyna was working at King of Diamonds strip club in Miami. The two reportedly officially became an item while shooting the music video for Tyga's hit single "Rack City."(Photo: Devone Byrd, PacificCoastNews.com)

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Finding Love - Chyna became a figure in pop culture when she began dating rapper Tyga. The two met in October 2011 at the F.A.M.E. Tour after-party with Chris Brown. At the time, Chyna was working at King of Diamonds strip club in Miami. The two reportedly officially became an item while shooting the music video for Tyga's hit single "Rack City."(Photo: Devone Byrd, PacificCoastNews.com)

Mommy Duty - A year into their relationship, on October 16, 2012, Blac Chyna and Tyga had a beautiful baby boy who they named King Cairo Stevenson. That same day, Tyga purchased a $6.5 million mansion in Calabasas for him and his new family.(Photo: Blac Chyna via Instagram)

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Mommy Duty - A year into their relationship, on October 16, 2012, Blac Chyna and Tyga had a beautiful baby boy who they named King Cairo Stevenson. That same day, Tyga purchased a $6.5 million mansion in Calabasas for him and his new family.(Photo: Blac Chyna via Instagram)

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Miss Independent - In 2013, Blac Chyna, her brand fairly established, opened her own online boutique called 88fin, which sold clothing and products from her clothing line of the same name. She expanded later that year, launching a brand of adhesive eyelashes called LASHED by Blac Chyna.(Photo: LA Photo Lab / Splash News)

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Miss Independent - In 2013, Blac Chyna, her brand fairly established, opened her own online boutique called 88fin, which sold clothing and products from her clothing line of the same name. She expanded later that year, launching a brand of adhesive eyelashes called LASHED by Blac Chyna.(Photo: LA Photo Lab / Splash News)

New Friends - After moving to Calabasas with King Cairo and Tyga, Chyna became pretty close with the Kardashian family, which is known for living large in the upscale town, and hence the "survival" began.(Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage)

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New Friends - After moving to Calabasas with King Cairo and Tyga, Chyna became pretty close with the Kardashian family, which is known for living large in the upscale town, and hence the "survival" began.(Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage)

Besties - In particular, Chyna befriended the Kardashian of all Kardashians: Kim. The new best friends would constantly be caught by the paparazzi leaving the gym together and were known for posting sexy mirror selfies like this one.(Photo: Clint Brewer / Splash News)

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Besties - In particular, Chyna befriended the Kardashian of all Kardashians: Kim. The new best friends would constantly be caught by the paparazzi leaving the gym together and were known for posting sexy mirror selfies like this one.(Photo: Clint Brewer / Splash News)

The Real Deal - Before even meeting Kim, Blac Chyna was known for being the best friend of fellow former dancer and Wiz Khalifa's ex-wife Amber Rose. The ladies are still friends to this day and are thick as thieves, and Chyna always stayed true to her identity despite being a part of the Kardashian brand for a bit.(Photo: Splash News)

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The Real Deal - Before even meeting Kim, Blac Chyna was known for being the best friend of fellow former dancer and Wiz Khalifa's ex-wife Amber Rose. The ladies are still friends to this day and are thick as thieves, and Chyna always stayed true to her identity despite being a part of the Kardashian brand for a bit.(Photo: Splash News)

Don't Come for Me - After about three years together, Chyna and Tyga called it quits. There was speculation that the rapper had moved on to a then-underage Kylie Jenner but he didn't make his relationship with her public until she turned 18. Seeing as Chyna was friends with all of the Kardashian-Jenner ladies prior to their split, this was a tricky situation, as her ex was dating someone from her "new circle." When the youngest of the clan and Tyga's new boo made headlines for plumping her lips and coming for Chyna, she poked fun at her with this pic. (Photo: Blac Chyna via Instagram)

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Don't Come for Me - After about three years together, Chyna and Tyga called it quits. There was speculation that the rapper had moved on to a then-underage Kylie Jenner but he didn't make his relationship with her public until she turned 18. Seeing as Chyna was friends with all of the Kardashian-Jenner ladies prior to their split, this was a tricky situation, as her ex was dating someone from her "new circle." When the youngest of the clan and Tyga's new boo made headlines for plumping her lips and coming for Chyna, she poked fun at her with this pic. (Photo: Blac Chyna via Instagram)

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Mama Knows Best - When Chyna's mom, Tokyo Toni, learned of how and with whom Tyga moved on, she wasn't having it. She went off on Tyga, Kylie and the entire Kardashian clan in a rant, making it clear that their family is no better than hers. "Her dad wants to be a woman, while her mom is out [here] messing with some young Black dude with birthing hips," she said. "Her other sister is married to a crack head while dating a rapper she stole from a former friend." Ouch!(Photo: Shalana Hunter via Instagram)

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Mama Knows Best - When Chyna's mom, Tokyo Toni, learned of how and with whom Tyga moved on, she wasn't having it. She went off on Tyga, Kylie and the entire Kardashian clan in a rant, making it clear that their family is no better than hers. "Her dad wants to be a woman, while her mom is out [here] messing with some young Black dude with birthing hips," she said. "Her other sister is married to a crack head while dating a rapper she stole from a former friend." Ouch!(Photo: Shalana Hunter via Instagram)

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Moving On - Proving that she was not done with the family just yet, Chyna moved on to Rob Kardashian from Tyga in January 2016, to the surprise of just about everyone. Some saw the unlikely pairing as an act of revenge to the Kardashians, but the two seemed to be pretty much in love.(Photo: Splash News)

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Moving On - Proving that she was not done with the family just yet, Chyna moved on to Rob Kardashian from Tyga in January 2016, to the surprise of just about everyone. Some saw the unlikely pairing as an act of revenge to the Kardashians, but the two seemed to be pretty much in love.(Photo: Splash News)

No Approval - Not everyone was here for Chyna and Rob though. In fact, her mother was upset with the claims that the reality star was upgrading her daughter. Tokyo Toni told the Daily Mail, "He's a f**king Kardashian!... As far as I am concerned, he could be a bad influence on her."(Photo: Shalana Hunter via Instagram)

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No Approval - Not everyone was here for Chyna and Rob though. In fact, her mother was upset with the claims that the reality star was upgrading her daughter. Tokyo Toni told the Daily Mail, "He's a f**king Kardashian!... As far as I am concerned, he could be a bad influence on her."(Photo: Shalana Hunter via Instagram)

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Upgrading Each Other - It seemed as though the new couple was supporting each other. When they weren't showing off their love on Instagram or Snapchat, they were hitting the gym together and Chyna made it a habit of cooking healthy meals for her new bae. It seemed as though she was helping him get back on the healthy track as he had been overweight for some time.(Photo: Eagle Eye/Bruce/Javiles/FAMEFLYNET)

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Upgrading Each Other - It seemed as though the new couple was supporting each other. When they weren't showing off their love on Instagram or Snapchat, they were hitting the gym together and Chyna made it a habit of cooking healthy meals for her new bae. It seemed as though she was helping him get back on the healthy track as he had been overweight for some time.(Photo: Eagle Eye/Bruce/Javiles/FAMEFLYNET)

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New Addition - Blac Chyna had her first child with her then-fiancé Rob Kardashian on November 10, 2016, via C-section. They named their bouncing baby girl Dream Renee Kardashian and even created a separate Instagram account for her right after she made her entry to the world.(Photo: Rob Kardashian via Instagram) 

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New Addition - Blac Chyna had her first child with her then-fiancé Rob Kardashian on November 10, 2016, via C-section. They named their bouncing baby girl Dream Renee Kardashian and even created a separate Instagram account for her right after she made her entry to the world.(Photo: Rob Kardashian via Instagram) 

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No Trademark for You - After attempting to trademark her then-soon-to-be name Angela Kardashian, Chyna was flat out denied in April 2017. The main ones behind the denial were reportedly the main Kardashian sisters, Kim, Khloé and Kourtney. How about that for payback?(Photo: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)

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No Trademark for You - After attempting to trademark her then-soon-to-be name Angela Kardashian, Chyna was flat out denied in April 2017. The main ones behind the denial were reportedly the main Kardashian sisters, Kim, Khloé and Kourtney. How about that for payback?(Photo: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)

Balling at 29 - Blac Chyna celebrated her 29th birthday on May 11 and showed off her brand new gift on social media. The reality star received a fire red Ferrari for her birthday, but no one knows exactly who was behind the huge gesture. Could it be her on-again-off-again boo Rob?(Photo: Blac Chyna via Instagram)

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Balling at 29 - Blac Chyna celebrated her 29th birthday on May 11 and showed off her brand new gift on social media. The reality star received a fire red Ferrari for her birthday, but no one knows exactly who was behind the huge gesture. Could it be her on-again-off-again boo Rob?(Photo: Blac Chyna via Instagram)

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Fun While It Lasted - Despite the hate thrown at them from their families and even fans, these two seemed to be going strong. In fact, on April 5, 2016, Blac Chyna showed off an engagement ring, confirming the rumors she was marrying Rob. The couple even took their engagement a step further by heading their own reality show on E! called Rob & Chyna. The bliss eventually faded, though, when they got into a huge social media blow out in December 2016, eventually leading to them calling off their engagement. Most recently, in July 2017, Rob went on a social media rampage, exposing Chyna for cheating on him and abusing drugs and alcohol. It's safe to say that they are no more. But Blac Chyna is clearly unbothered. Angela White is not going anywhere anytime soon, with or without a Kardashian.(Photo: WENN.com)

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Fun While It Lasted - Despite the hate thrown at them from their families and even fans, these two seemed to be going strong. In fact, on April 5, 2016, Blac Chyna showed off an engagement ring, confirming the rumors she was marrying Rob. The couple even took their engagement a step further by heading their own reality show on E! called Rob & Chyna. The bliss eventually faded, though, when they got into a huge social media blow out in December 2016, eventually leading to them calling off their engagement. Most recently, in July 2017, Rob went on a social media rampage, exposing Chyna for cheating on him and abusing drugs and alcohol. It's safe to say that they are no more. But Blac Chyna is clearly unbothered. Angela White is not going anywhere anytime soon, with or without a Kardashian.(Photo: WENN.com)