If you still picture Debby Ryan as the girl with the side-swept bangs leaning against a penthouse counter in Jessie, you're missing about ten years of development. People always ask: what is Debby Ryan doing now? Is she still acting? Did she just disappear into the indie music scene with her husband?
The truth is way more interesting than the "former child star" tropes.
Honestly, 2026 is looking like the most "real" year of her life. She isn't just a face on a Disney+ thumbnail anymore. She’s a mother, a producer, and someone who has navigated the brutal transition from teen idol to actual adult in an industry that usually chews those people up.
The Biggest Change: Debby Ryan as a Mom
By far the most massive update for anyone following Debby Ryan now is her transition into motherhood.
In late 2025, specifically December 13, Debby and her husband, Josh Dun (the drummer for Twenty One Pilots), welcomed their first child. A baby girl named Felix Winter Dun.
The birth wasn't some high-glam Hollywood event. It was a home birth. Debby shared snippets on Instagram—think Christmas lights, snow outside the window, and a very grounded, quiet vibe. It felt less like a celebrity announcement and more like a friend sharing a life milestone.
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- Husband: Josh Dun (married since New Year's Eve 2019).
- Child: Felix Winter Dun (born Dec 2025).
- Vibe: Very low-key, very "indie-cool."
Seeing Josh Dun as a dad and Debby as a mom is a trip for anyone who grew up with The Suite Life on Deck. They’ve been together, on and off, since 2013. That’s a lifetime in Hollywood years.
Is She Still Acting?
Yes. But it’s different.
She isn't chasing the "next big franchise" in the way some people expected. Instead, she’s been popping up in projects that are... well, kinda weird. And she likes it that way.
Most recently, she’s been tied to the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival for a project called Their Town. It’s a narrative spotlight film directed by Katie Aselton. The plot is very "indie darling"—a long night wandering through a small town, unearthing surprises. It’s a far cry from the laugh tracks of her teens.
She also made waves with a guest spot in the latest iterations of American Horror Stories and a role in the film Turtles All the Way Down.
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Why she isn't "Selena Gomez Big"
A lot of people on Reddit and Twitter argue about why Debby didn't become a household name on the level of Zendaya or Selena.
It’s a fair question.
- Management Choices: She leaned into indie rock with her band, The Never Ending, rather than going for Top 40 pop.
- The "Insatiable" Backlash: Her Netflix show Insatiable was a massive hit but also incredibly controversial. The "fat suit" drama followed her for years.
- Behind the Camera: She actually loves directing. She started directing episodes of Jessie when she was barely 20. She spends a lot of time producing and developing projects that don't have her face on the poster.
The Josh Dun Connection
You can't talk about Debby Ryan now without talking about the "Twenty One Pilots" orbit.
Josh and Debby are basically the "alt" power couple. They live in a house they’ve described as being "decorated like kids," full of snacks and treehouse vibes. While Josh is out performing at massive shows like iHeartRadio’s ALTer EGO in early 2026—his first show as a dad—Debby is often seen supporting from the wings or traveling with the band.
They’ve managed to keep their relationship mostly private. They married in secret. They had a baby in secret (until the end). It’s a blueprint for how to stay famous without losing your mind.
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Debby Ryan's Style Evolution
Fashion-wise, she has completely shed the Disney "neon and sparkles" look.
Now, it’s all about:
- Vintage silhouettes.
- Bleached brows (sometimes).
- Muted tones and "cool girl" oversized fits.
- That iconic, slightly messy shag haircut that half of Pinterest has tried to copy.
She’s become a legitimate fashion icon for the Gen Z/Millennial crossover crowd. She isn't trying to look like a "star"; she looks like a person who owns a very expensive thrift store in Silver Lake.
What’s Next for Debby?
The "Debby Ryan Now" era is less about being a celebrity and more about being an artist.
With a newborn at home and a few indie films in the pipeline, don't expect her to lead a 22-episode sitcom anytime soon. She seems to be prioritizing the "slow life."
If you want to keep up with her, your best bet isn't the tabloids—it's her Instagram or the SXSW circuit. She’s choosing projects that have "soul" rather than just a big paycheck.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch her recent work: Check out Their Town if you get the chance at festivals or on streaming later this year.
- Follow the music: The Never Ending hasn't officially called it quits; keep an ear out for lo-fi indie tracks that often drop without much fanfare.
- Look for her credits: Sometimes she’s the one behind the camera. Look for her name in the producer or director credits of upcoming Netflix or Hulu indies.
She’s 32 now. She’s a mother. She’s a wife. And she’s finally doing the kind of work she actually wants to do. That’s a win in any book.