Debby Ryan, the 21-year-old Disney Channel star, recently opened during an interview with Bello Magazine about her career as an actor, director, and singer.

Ryan made her Disney debut when she appeared on the popular show Suite Life, and that is also where she fell in love with directing. She said she used to shadow the directors, simply because she was nosy, to learn what exactly they did.

“Since I was on Suite Life, I had been shadowing directors because I’m nosey,” she told the publication. “All the things that get you in trouble as a kid are the things that make you successful in life. At least that’s what I’m going for. I started shadowing directors, and I fell in love with it. They started really lobbying on my half, which I was so thankful for.”

While Ryan loves acting and directing, one of her truest passions has always been singing. Ryan has started work on her singing career, but admits that it hasn’t always been easy.

“Everyone’s always like, ‘Oh so you’re doing music. Disney must be making you do music.’ And I’m like, ‘No, actually.’ I’ve had to fight really hard, against everyone, not just Disney and Hollywood Records. I’ve had to fight hard to make sure too many people don’t get to weigh in on my personal brand,” she said.

“Everything has been subject to everyone’s opinion, and music is the thing that I need to be spearheading,” Ryan added. “Having people fight for me, and being in the trenches with good people, helps. When I said I wanted to direct, Disney helped me do that. It feels good knowing that people are taking a chance on building a woman out of me.”