Debby Ryan, an Alabama native born in Huntsville in 1993, gained fame for her roles on Disney Channel series such as The Suite Life on Deck and Jessie. After starting her acting career in commercials and films like Barney: Let's Go to the Firehouse, she found success as Bailey Pickett before landing the lead role of Jessie Prescott from 2011 to 2015. Ryan also appeared in various film and television projects including Muppets Most Wanted and the YouTube Red series Sing It!

In addition to her acting career, Ryan has ventured into music, making her debut on the soundtrack of Radio Rebel in 2012. She later formed the band the Neverending, showcasing a blend of pop and folk-rock influences with their 2014 EP One. The group went on to release singles like "Mulholland Drive" and "Secondhand," and even opened for Fifth Harmony on their Reflection tour in 2015.