DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/GETTY IMAGES
-
Entertainment
Photos
-
Parenting
Vacation + Travel
-
Entertainment
Photos
Buzz is growing over the newest Disney starlet: 17-year-old Debby Ryan. You -- and/or your kids -- may know her from The Suite Life on Deck, but her personal boat is setting sail for much bigger destinations. If you care about staying on top of your kids' idols (and not embarrassing yourself by saying things like "Who wants Hannah Montana lunchboxes?"), you better get to know this rising celebrity.
Witness Ryan's ascension based on the Disney-tested "superstar elevation plan":
Level One: Play a Big Part in a Hit TV Show
Check. Ryan plays Bailey Pickett on the Disney hit spinoff The Suite Life on Deck, and whereas series stars Dylan and Cole Sprouse are college-age, Ryan has plenty of time to build her tween fan base.
Level Two: Star in a Hit TV Movie
Check. Ryan gained huge exposure starring in the Disney Channel hit film 16 Wishes.
Level Three: Appear in Theatrical Movies
Check. A Suite Life movie featuring Ryan will open on March 25. Ryan has also had parts in 2008’s The Longshots and 2010’s What If…
Level Four: Star in a New TV Show
Check. Ryan will star as a country girl who moves to New York City to be an au pair for four kids in Disney Channel's Jessie, debuting this fall.
Level Five: Launch a Musical Career
Possible Check. You saw this one coming, didn't you? Ryan plays guitar and piano, and was scheduled to headline a 2009 "Terrific Teen Tour” concert series alongside Mitchel Musso, Jasmine Richards and Savannah Outen, until it was cancelled due to "scheduling conflicts." Stay tuned.
Fun Debby Ryan Facts:
* Ryan lived in Germany until age 10 and "used to be" fluent in German.
* Ryan, who says she was a nerd in school, was a member of the chess club and was the school mascot, a wildcat.
* While Ryan didn't do time as a Barney & Friends kid (unlike Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato), she did get her "Barney Break" in the 2007 film Barney: Let's Go to the Firehouse,.
