…My mission has become focused on eating disorder awareness. I believe it’s a topic that’s often overlooked and sometimes even glamorized online, without being discussed properly. There needs to be more education on this issue, especially for young people. I struggled with anorexia for a while, and what really troubled me was that they wouldn’t diagnose me until they checked my weight. That approach is flawed because eating disorders don’t discriminate based on gender or weight; they can affect anyone. The current system fails many people who don’t receive the care they need because they don’t meet certain irrelevant criteria. More education is needed to understand that eating disorders are mental disorders, not physical ones…
I had the pleasure to talk with Jillian Shea Spaeder. Jillian Shea, an actress, producer, and singer-songwriter, is making significant waves in the entertainment industry with her multifaceted talents and commitment to addressing pressing social issues. Born and raised in a small town outside Philadelphia in a musical household, Spaeder grew up surrounded by the sounds of singing and piano, igniting her passion for the arts at an early age. Her early foray into professional theater and school plays laid the foundation for what would become a burgeoning career in acting and music.
Spaeder’s journey to Hollywood was a family affair, initially intended as a temporary move to support her career aspirations. However, what was supposed to be a two-to-three-month stay extended to a decade of pursuing and realizing her dreams in entertainment. Her breakthrough came shortly after relocating to Los Angeles when she landed a role on Disney Channel’s “Walk the Prank,” marking the beginning of her successful acting career.
Best known for her lead role in the Disney+ original film “Godmothered,” opposite Jillian Bell and Isla Fisher, Spaeder’s performance was not only acclaimed but also showcased her musical talents with two original songs featured on the film’s soundtrack. Her career further expanded to include a series regular role as ‘Bailey’ on Disney XD’s “Walk the Prank” and appearances in Netflix’s “No Good Nick,” Disney Channel’s “Just Roll with It,” and the film “To the Beat!: Back 2 School.”
Beyond acting, Spaeder is a dedicated singer-songwriter, director, producer, and film writer, with a musical journey that began with singing and playing the piano at five years old. Her singles, produced and mastered by notable industry professionals, demonstrate her evolving sound and artistic depth.
Spaeder’s recent projects also include writing, producing, and starring in the short film “The Noise,” based on her own struggles with an eating disorder. The film aims to support and connect with others facing similar challenges, reflecting Spaeder’s passion for advocacy and representation.
Spaeder’s advocacy extends beyond her artistic work; she is open about her pansexuality and actively uses her platform to promote inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Her involvement with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Children International underscores her commitment to using her voice for change, addressing issues from health to international child support.
As Spaeder continues to release new music, including her single ‘XY’ and a forthcoming EP, her artistic narrative remains deeply interconnected with themes of self-love and empowerment. With a robust following on social media platforms, Spaeder engages with her audience, sharing updates on her projects and offering insights into her creative process.
Jillian Shea Spaeder’s journey from a musical household in Philadelphia to the screens of Hollywood is a testament to her talent, resilience, and dedication to making a difference through her art. As she moves forward with new projects and advocacy efforts, Spaeder remains a significant and inspiring figure in the entertainment industry, poised to continue impacting her audiences and communities around the world.
Yitzi: Jillian, it’s an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share with us the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Jillian: I’m from a small town outside of Philadelphia, and I have two older siblings. I’m six years younger than my middle sibling, so I’m very much the baby of the family. My parents met in a band in college, so I grew up in a very musical household. I was constantly surrounded by singing and piano lessons. It was kind of like being in a Partridge Family situation, which was really cool. Around the age of 10, I started acting and getting involved in professional theater, in addition to always participating in school plays. Then, when I was 11, I moved to LA with my parents, mostly my mom, but my dad was there too. The move was supposed to be temporary, just for two or three months, but it ended up lasting 10 years to support my career in entertainment.
Yitzi: So what’s the next part of the story? Now that you’re a successful actress, how did that start?
Jillian: When I first came out to LA, initially for just two or three months, I ended up booking a role on a Disney Channel show called “Walk the Prank.” I started filming pretty much right away and just got sucked into the world of acting and music. I love it; I think it’s so much fun. So, that was the first project I ever worked on.
Yitzi: It’s amazing. You’re so lucky that it happened so quickly.
Jillian: I know, I got incredibly lucky. The saying in LA goes, your right role will come along, but it might take 10 years, five years, or even just two months. So it’s essentially a waiting game, and I was really fortunate with the timeline.
Yitzi: So you probably have some amazing experiences and stories. Can you share with our readers one or two of your favorite stories that have happened since you began your acting or music career?
Jillian: Choosing favorites is always tricky, but one story that’s fresh in my mind happened while I was working on a movie called “God Mothered.” Jillian Bell, who is lovely and was one of my castmates, started talking about Taco Bell. Then Isla Fisher mentioned she’d never had Taco Bell, which shocked everyone. So, we ended up ordering a bunch of Taco Bell and then convinced Isla to try it. It was quite a memorable moment.
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake that you made when you were first starting out, and the lesson you learned from it?
Jillian: I’ve made countless mistakes, but I think one that stands out from when I was younger and first entering the industry was being overly critical of myself and constantly comparing myself to others. There’s this competitive environment among young actors in LA, where there’s a lot of talk like, “Oh, you didn’t get a callback for that? I did.” And I let that kind of talk deeply affect me. I would be so hard on myself, blaming myself and spending a lot of time crying over it. Looking back, I see that as a big mistake. I eventually learned to be okay with rejection and understood that it’s a normal part of the industry.
Yitzi: We love stories where somebody who’s a little further ahead opens a door for someone that changes their life. Do you have a story like that, where someone changed your life by going out of their way?
Jillian: Absolutely, I always talk about Amber Horn, the casting director for “Walk the Prank,” the show I started on. Amber is truly one of the most incredible people on the planet, both in her personal and professional life. She was advocating for me throughout the entire casting process, and she was incredibly sweet. She was the perfect person to introduce me to the industry. A lot of times, people can be harsh with child actors, or worse, but Amber is the sweetest, most genuine person. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.
Yitzi: So you have so much going on. Tell us about the exciting projects you’re currently working on and what you hope to be working on.
Jillian: There are a lot of things happening. I wrote, produced, and starred in a short film called “The Noise,” which recently premiered at the Gasparilla International Film Festival. It’s set to be released on YouTube on May 1st, making it available to the public after about a year and a half of work. I’m incredibly excited to finally share it. Additionally, I’m releasing an EP soon. A new song will be out next Friday, following the release of the first single. The full EP will be available on May 17th. May is going to be a busy month with all these releases.
Yitzi: Do you see yourself more as a musician who acts or as an actress who sings?
Jillian: It’s tricky because, while I probably consider myself more of an actress, I’ve been involved in music for much longer. I also went to school for music, which makes it even more complicated to choose. I think I identify as an actor first, mainly because that’s where I’ve had a bit more experience, although calling it success feels a bit much. But music was my first love, so it’s really a mix of both.
Yitzi: If you could take all of your music and lyrics and put them into one big bucket, what would be the main, overarching theme of your music?
Jillian: I’d say self-love. On the EP, there are a lot of breakup songs, but they ultimately convey a message of loving yourself and knowing you deserve better. The rest of the songs carry a theme of stopping the comparisons and loving yourself for who you are. So, self-love would definitely be the main theme.
Yitzi: Why is self-love so important?
Jillian: It boils down to the fact that we’re all we’ve got. You’re stuck with yourself for life, so you can either spend that time hating yourself or you can learn to appreciate who you are. There’s also this concept of body neutrality that I find intriguing. While the body positivity movement is wonderful and empowering, body neutrality offers a different perspective that resonates with me. It’s about neither having to love nor dislike ourselves; it’s accepting that our body is just that — our body. We don’t need to have strong feelings about it one way or the other. It’s simply the vessel we live in, which is a fascinating way to think about self-acceptance and love.
Yitzi: If a person doesn’t accept themselves or love themselves, why would it be hard to form relationships? Why is it the foundation of relationships?
Jillian: You can’t fully love others if you don’t love yourself. Although achieving 100% self-love might be unrealistic — I think aiming for 98% is a good goal because 100% might seem a bit conceited. Loving others without loving yourself is possible, but it’s definitely more challenging.
Yitzi: To play devil’s advocate, what if there are negative aspects of oneself, like having a temper or being abusive? Shouldn’t there be a reluctance to accept those parts? Shouldn’t a person always strive to improve?
Jillian: It’s tough. There’s a fine line between making mistakes and crossing a moral boundary that’s hard to forgive. But if it’s about minor mistakes or moments of unkindness, recognizing and regretting those actions is important. It’s about moving on, making amends, and continuing to love yourself despite those mistakes.
Yitzi: You’re saying that part of loving yourself involves recognizing we make mistakes, and those don’t define us. We can forgive ourselves for them.
Jillian: Exactly, unless you’re dealing with extreme cases, like being a serial killer, where self-forgiveness isn’t really on the table.
Yitzi: I was once a chaplain in a maximum security prison and met individuals who had committed serious crimes. After years in prison, many were remorseful and kind. It was a challenge reconciling their past actions with the person before me. Can such individuals find self-love?
Jillian: That’s an intense and wild experience. What a profound job to have.
Yitzi: This is our signature question that we ask. Now that you’ve been blessed with a lot of success, looking back to when you first started, can you share five things you need to create a successful career in entertainment?
Jillian:
1. Drive — I believe this is the most important thing. You need a lot of motivation and perseverance.
2. Fake Confidence — Confidence is key, but it’s not necessary to naturally have it. Being able to fake confidence is often enough to get you through.
3. Drive Over Talent — Talent is important, but drive is even more critical. It’s more about your determination than your innate abilities.
4. Time — Dedication of your time and effort is essential. You need to be willing to give your all to your career.
5. Openness — This might be controversial, but being open to different roles and opportunities is crucial. Many people are very focused on a single aspect, like acting, but I believe in exploring various interests like producing, writing, and music. Being open to different opportunities within your boundaries can lead to success.
6. Bonus: Support — A strong support system is vital in the entertainment industry, where people can be quite harsh. Having people who back you up and believe in you is incredibly important.
Yitzi: Are people really mean in the industry? Have people been mean to you?
Jillian: It’s not so much about people being directly mean; it’s more about the internet and the amount of rejection you face. That’s why having a solid support team around you is crucial.
Yitzi: Wow. You come across as very confident and full of self-love. You mentioned the importance of faking it. Do you fake your confidence, or is it genuine?
Jillian: It depends. I’m at a point where I like myself most of the time, at about 70% on the liking myself scale. So, while some of my confidence is genuine, there are moments when I have to “fake it” to maintain that appearance of confidence.
Yitzi: That’s great. Can you share with our readers any of the self-care routines that you do to help your body, mind, or heart thrive?
Jillian: I love reading at night; my Kindle is practically my best friend. It really helps me unwind and fall asleep. I make it a point not to use my phone before bed because social media can be quite draining. On mornings when I’m not too busy, which hasn’t been often lately, I enjoy hiking or taking walks without any music or podcasts. Leaving my phone at home, I just absorb the surroundings, which also sparks my creativity. I’m a fan of taking baths, though I haven’t done that in a while. This conversation reminds me I need to prioritize self-care more. Spending time with friends and family is also important to me, making time for things I enjoy. Additionally, I started a new hobby. I bought a mini bakery kit online, which involves wood carving, and I’ve found joy in mindlessly crafting whenever I can. It’s quite a random one, but it’s been really enjoyable.
Yitzi: What do you enjoy reading? What are you reading now?
Jillian: I’m very into murder mysteries at the moment; that’s my niche. I go through different phases with my reading interests. I’m also a big fan of dystopian novels, but right now, it’s all about the murder mysteries for me.
Yitzi: So this is our aspirational question. Jillian, given your platform and your impactful work, you’re a person of significant influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most people, what would it be?
Jillian: My mission has become focused on eating disorder awareness. I believe it’s a topic that’s often overlooked and sometimes even glamorized online, without being discussed properly. There needs to be more education on this issue, especially for young people.
Yitzi: Do you have a story about why this cause is meaningful to you?
Jillian: Yes, I struggled with anorexia for a while, and what really troubled me was that they wouldn’t diagnose me until they checked my weight. That approach is flawed because eating disorders don’t discriminate based on gender or weight; they can affect anyone. The current system fails many people who don’t receive the care they need because they don’t meet certain irrelevant criteria. More education is needed to understand that eating disorders are mental disorders, not physical ones.
Yitzi: In general, do you think the concept of body mass index (BMI) and a “healthy” body weight is outdated?
Jillian: Absolutely, BMIs are an incredibly flawed measure. There’s no one-size-fits-all for health. If you’re eating according to your body’s needs, nourishing yourself well, and exercising in a way that feels right for you, whatever weight you are is where you’re supposed to be. The idea of needing to gain or lose weight to fit a specific standard is harmful. I’m not a medical professional, but this is what I’ve learned from my experiences and research on the subject.
Yitzi: This is our matchmaker question, and sometimes it works. Prominent leaders often read this column. Is there someone in the world, or particularly in the United States, with whom you’d like to have a power lunch, share a coffee, have a beer, or collaborate with? We could tag them on social media and maybe connect you.
Jillian: There are so many incredible people I’d love the opportunity to meet or work with.
If I have to pick, meeting some badass female directors like Olivia Wilde would be amazing.
Jennifer Lawrence is my favorite actress, so collaborating or even just meeting her would be a dream come true.
On the music side, I’m a huge fan of Holly Humberstone. Having her as a mentor would be incredible. It’s hard to choose just one; those are some of the names at the top of my list.
Yitzi: Jillian, how can our readers continue to follow your work online? How could they purchase anything you’re offering? How could they support you in any way?
Jillian: You can find me on Instagram @jilliansheaspaeder. In my bio, there’s a link to my short film’s account, so all the updates for that will be posted there. The account is The Noise Short. My EP, released under Jillian Shea, is available anywhere you can get music, and you can find links to that in my Instagram bio as well. So, if you head to my Instagram, you’ll have access to everything.
Yitzi: Jillian, it’s been a delight to talk to you. I wish you continued success, blessings, and good health. I hope we can do this again next year. Thank you so much.
Jillian: Definitely.
Music Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Jillian Shea Spaeder Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.