INTERVIEW: Debby Ryan on ‘Jessie,’ Her D Signed Collection, and Music

Debby Ryan is best known for playing Bailey Pickett on the Disney Channel’s The Suite Life on Deck but is quickly becoming a triple-threat.

Not only does she now play the main role on Disney Channel’s Jessie, but she’s also launching her own clothing line, the D Signed Collection at Target, which is inspired by the show. Debby calls it, “Tex & The City.” She calls her musical sound a “hybrid of folk-rock, alternative, and retro pop with a swing,” which we dig, and she finds inspiration all around her. Did you know that she lived in Germany until she was 10 and can speak both English and German? Neither did we, but we found it fascinating. Read GLITTER’s exclusive interview with Debby Ryan, and fall in love with her all over again.

GLITTER: Jessie is in its second season currently, what can you tell us about the upcoming episodes?
DEBBY: This season, Jessie is really trying to find herself. She’s dipping her toes in different careers and hobbies outside of just being a nanny. The kids are growing up and dealing with new things, and as they evolve Jessie is always right there with them.

GLITTER: What has been one of your favorite episodes of Jessie to film so far?
DEBBY: I always love episodes that involve physical comedy, so the hour-long special where Jessie becomes a stunt double was so fun for me! It had a little bit of everything -swinging, falling, flying pillows, day-saving, heartfelt friend-ship moments, and contact with a massive snake.

GLITTER: Will there be any special guest stars in future episodes? Who would you love to have guest star on the show?
DEBBY: We’ve had a few really great guest stars on the show! I was dunked over by NBA All-Star Chris Bosh, Cheri Oteri from SNL pounded me in Muggle Quidditch, I rocked out with Austin & Ally, and I did a kick line with Lainie Kazan– safe to say, our guest stars are out of control, and the best is yet to come.

GLITTER: Tell us about the D Signed Collection avail-able at Target, inspired by your character on Jessie. How would you describe the style?
DEBBY: Tex & The City! Part east coast city chic, a bit military, and a just a touch of southwest, to keep Jessie close to her roots. The D Signed line is very wearable: out at the movies, doing homework inside, school dance, etc.

GLITTER: What inspired you to create your web-series, “Ryan Style,” and what can fans expect to see in upcoming episodes?
DEBBY: I love watching fashion shorts, and I’ve always wanted to direct and produce my own web series. Fashion is something I’ve always been passionate about, and I hope that “Ryan Style” will arm my fan’s closets with what’s in trend and what’s timeless, and give them tips on how to put together what they already have with a new spin.

GLITTER: In “Ryan Style” you gave tips on how take the latest trends and make it your own. What has been one of your favorite trends this season?
DEBBY: I love cut-outs, fillegrie, modest is hottest. Find one thing to showcase: legs, or back, or neck, etc…and work with it.

GLITTER: Your fans have been asking about an album in the works, what can you tell us about your music plans?
DEBBY: Right now I’m taking the time to actually sit and write, and it’s been an incredibly invigorating, holistic, sometimes painful, beautifully healing process for me. I can’t wait for my fans to hear my music, because it will be something completely new to what they are used to hearing from me. Music is one of my biggest passions, and I’m really excited to share what’s to come on that journey for me over the next few months – stay tuned!

GLITTER: Where do you find your inspiration when writing and recording new music? What kind of message do you hope fans get from it?
DEBBY: I find inspiration all around me and in everything. Hope, light, my travels… the things that haunt me in my sleep- all of life’s ups and downs have some impact on the lyrics I write. I think the ribbon that runs through all of my music is the sense of something bigger – the real, eternal meaning of our everyday little things.

GLITTER: Is there a specific sound your leaning towards?
DEBBY: It’s accidentally becoming kind of a hybrid of folk-rock, alternative, and retro pop with aswing. It’s like if The Hush Sound, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, old school Taylor Swift, April Smith & The Great Picture Show, Mumford & Sons, and The Civil Wars had a musical lovechild.

GLITTER: You starred in A Rocket To The Moon’s music video. How was your experience shooting the music video and working with the group?
DEBBY: It was an incredible experience. I’ve been a fan of the band since it was Nick Santino solo, sitting in his basement, putting songs on MySpace. To bring your vision to a group of incredibly talented people, and to help tell a story you believe in, is one of the most awesome things in the world. I think people will dig it.