The Disney Penthouse Gossip That Never Quite Died
Look, if you grew up in the early 2010s, you probably spent way too much time watching Jessie. We all did. The Ross family penthouse was basically a second home to a generation of kids. But lately, the internet has been digging up old bones regarding Skai Jackson and Debby Ryan, and honestly, the rumors are wild. People are obsessed with figuring out if they were actually friends or if it was all a polished Disney PR facade.
Whenever you have a show where a teenager is "nannying" a group of younger kids, there is a natural age gap. Debby was the leader of that set, a veteran Disney star by the time the show premiered in 2011. Skai was just nine years old when she started playing Zuri Ross.
Nine.
Think about that for a second. The dynamic on set was always going to be more like a big sister and a little sister than two peers. Yet, over a decade later, the narrative around their relationship has shifted from "sweet coworkers" to "secret feud." It's one of those weird internet phenomena where a single rumor from 2015 refuses to stay buried.
The Infamous "Secret Twitter" and the Bullying Rumors
So, where did this all start? Basically, a rumor caught fire on social media years ago claiming that Skai Jackson had a secret "finsta" or a secondary Twitter account. The gossip was that she used this account to vent about Debby Ryan being a "bully" on the set of Jessie.
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Here is the thing: nobody ever actually produced a screenshot that held up under scrutiny.
It was one of those "trust me, I saw it before it was deleted" situations. Usually, that’s just code for internet fan fiction. However, the rumor was so persistent that it eventually forced both actresses to acknowledge the "beef." In 2016, a fan directly told Debby on Twitter that Skai had been talking behind her back.
Debby’s response? "That’s sad, but not really my business."
It wasn't exactly a warm "we love each other" denial, which only fueled the fire. For years, people took that silence as confirmation that the vibes were off. If you’ve ever worked in an office with someone you just don't click with, you know how that goes. Now imagine that, but you're both world-famous and one of you is literally a child.
Where They Stand Now: 2026 Reality Check
Fast forward to right now. Skai Jackson has had a rollercoaster of a year. Most recently, she’s been in the headlines for personal legal matters rather than her acting career. In late 2024, Skai was involved in a domestic battery incident at Universal Studios, which her team later downplayed, stating she was happily engaged and expecting.
While Skai has been dealing with those headlines, Debby Ryan has moved into a completely different phase of life. She’s married to Josh Dun from Twenty One Pilots and has been focusing on more "indie" and mature acting roles like Horse Girl and Spin Me Round.
Does this mean they hate each other? Probably not.
In a 2017 anniversary post, Debby shared photos of the Jessie cast, including Skai, with nothing but love. And Skai herself hopped on TikTok a few years ago to tell fans, "Girl no, love her," when asked about the feud.
Why the rumors won't go away
- The Cameron Boyce Tragedy: Losing their co-star Cameron Boyce in 2019 brought the cast back together in grief. It’s hard to maintain a petty feud when you're mourning a brother.
- The Age Gap: People forget Skai was a child. Any "attitude" she might have had was likely just... being a kid.
- The "Mean Girl" Trope: Fans love to cast successful women in a "bully vs. victim" narrative because it makes for better TikTok edits.
The Real On-Set Dynamic
Honestly, being a child star is a pressure cooker. Skai Jackson was the face of one of the most popular memes on the planet while she was still a minor. Debby Ryan was trying to transition out of the "Disney Girl" mold while carrying a massive show on her shoulders.
Working 12-hour days on a soundstage isn't a playground. It's a job.
Most experts who follow Disney Channel history point out that the Jessie cast was actually quite close compared to other shows (looking at you, Victorious). If there was tension, it was the kind of tension you have with a sibling you’ve spent too much time with in a small car.
Skai has always been vocal about her anti-bullying advocacy, which makes the "bully" rumors about her or Debby feel especially ironic. If there was genuine, systemic bullying happening on that set, it likely would have come out in a tell-all book by now.
Moving Past the "Jessie" Era
If you’re looking for a dramatic ending where they never speak again, you’re probably going to be disappointed. They have both grown up. Skai is a woman in her 20s navigating the complexities of adult fame and motherhood. Debby is a settled artist in her 30s.
The most realistic take is that they are "industry friends." They’ll like a photo on Instagram, they’ll say something nice in an interview, but they aren't grabbing coffee every Tuesday. And that’s okay.
Actionable Insights for the Fans:
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- Check the Source: Most "feuds" you see on TikTok are based on old, unverified screenshots from 2015.
- Respect the Growth: Allow actors to move past the roles they played when they were children.
- Separate Character from Actor: Just because Zuri was sassy doesn't mean Skai was "difficult" to work with.
If you want to stay updated on what the cast is doing today, your best bet is following their official social channels rather than the "tea" accounts. Skai is currently navigating a major life transition with her pregnancy and upcoming film projects like The Man in the White Van, while Debby is consistently popping up in the festival circuit. They’ve both moved on from the penthouse; maybe it’s time the internet does, too.