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The former Disney Channel star is back in the spotlight after a viral TikTok with a longtime friend caused a stir online. Here's how she set the record straight.
Josie Totah recently went viral after sharing a TikTok video featuring a playful interaction with her former co-star Karan Brar. The footage sparked dating rumors, which Totah, 23, quickly clarified were untrue.
In the now-viral TikTok clip, Brar, 25, approaches Totah from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist. Totah then leans in to kiss him on the lips. The intimate moment between the two friends had fans buzzing about their relationship status.
However, Totah soon released another video to clarify the rumors, repeatedly stating that “it was a joke” and that the interaction was friendly. She captioned the follow-up video, “We are two platonic best friends who danced a little too close to the sun.”
Fans on TikTok quickly reacted to the viral video, sharing their excitement and thoughts on the interaction. One user wrote, “YOU ARE VERY PRETTY.” Another excitedly commented, “Stuart and Ravi???” referencing their characters from the Disney series “Jessie.”
“I just realized who you wreeeeee [sic],” one person said, while another added, “The way my jaw dropped like oh my days haahha [sic].” Some users couldn't help but express how adorable they thought the duo looked together. “Ok but they would be cute together,” one user penned. Another agreed, “They lowkey would be cute together tho [sic].”
Others seemed surprised to recognize Totah in the video. “wait that's Josie [sic]???” one user exclaimed. Several fans also praised Totah's appearance, with one user saying, “she look sooo pretty fr [sic].” Another shocked user expressed, “FVFGFDCBHTEDVG I DID NOT EXPECT [sic].”
Some fans shut down the dating speculations, pointing out their strong friendship instead. “These two are literally just ride-or-die besties who know how to break the internet. Nice try, gossip mills,” one user wrote.
Totah's viral moment comes after years of evolving both personally and professionally. Known for her role as Stuart Wooten on “Jessie,” Totah has been in the public eye since a young age.
She appeared in seven episodes, sharing memorable scenes with Brar, who played Ravi Ross in 98 episodes. Their on-screen chemistry and off-screen friendship have remained strong, making their recent TikTok collaboration even more special for fans.
Skai Jackson, Peyton List, Karan Brar, Debby Ryan, Kevin Chamberlin, and Cameron Boyce on February 12, 2015, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Totah's work in the entertainment industry spans acting, writing, and producing, with critics often praising her ability to bring dynamic characters to life.
In 2018, the “Saved by the Bell” alum took a significant step in her personal life by coming out as transgender through an essay published in Time magazine. In the essay titled “My Name is Josie Totah — And I'm Ready to Be Free,” she detailed her experiences growing up and navigating her identity in the entertainment industry.
“Acting has always been my passion,” Totah wrote in her essay. “But I also feel like I let myself be shoved into a box: ‘J.J. Totah, gay boy.'”
She described how people often assumed her identity before she fully understood it. “Numerous reporters have asked me in interviews how it feels to be a young gay man. I was even introduced that way before receiving an award from an LGBTQ+ rights organization. I understand that they didn't really know better. But that has never been the way I think of myself.”
Totah reflected on her early understanding of her gender identity, recalling that even as a young child, she wanted to be recognized as a girl and wear dresses.
She explained that at five, before even knowing what “gender” meant, she would often tell her mother her wishes of wanting to be a girl and ask for a dress as soon as she could form full sentences.
Her journey toward self-acceptance was not easy. Totah wrote about how she struggled with anxiety while hiding her true self. “Like many trans people, I developed serious anxiety as I hid who I was. In some ways, I felt like I was lying by letting people believe I was that gay boy.”
The pivotal moment for Totah occurred while watching the show “I Am Jazz” with her mother, a docu-series that follows Jazz Jennings, a transgender girl navigating her medical transition. Totah shared that as she gained more knowledge about hormone replacement therapy, she realized it was something she needed for herself.
During the show, she turned to her mother and said it plainly — she was transgender, and it was time to begin her transition.
Totah shared that her mother offered unconditional support from the very beginning. Her mom did not hesitate and agreed to help saying, “Okay, let's do it.”
Three days later, Totah met with her pediatrician, who quickly referred her to a specialist. From there, she began hormone therapy with a blocker, and as she put it, she “hit the ground running.”
Totah described feeling a sense of relief after beginning hormone therapy, noting that the blocker halted her testosterone and prevented the physical changes linked to male puberty. She explained that she no longer woke up each day in a state of panic, worrying about facial hair or her voice deepening.
Recognizing that those changes are difficult, if not impossible, to undo, she felt reassured knowing she was taking the necessary steps to be herself without fear.
While she felt liberated in many ways, Totah acknowledged the challenges that transgender individuals face, particularly regarding documentation and societal judgment.
“Identity documents can be hard for transgender people to change. I'm afraid of that moment when someone looks at the ID, looks at the photo, looks at the gender marker — looks at you.”
Despite the difficulties, Totah emphasized her belief that her identity is a gift. “I have come to believe that God made me transgender. I don't feel like I was put in the wrong body. I don't feel like there was a mistake made.”
She continued, “I believe that I am transgender to help people understand differences. It allows me to gain perspective, to be more accepting of others, because I know what it feels like to know you're not like everyone else.”
Looking back on her time on set, Totah spoke about the struggle of portraying male characters while yearning to express her authentic self. She recalled moments during her time on “Glee” when she would watch Lea Michele and the other girls perform in dresses and elaborate musical numbers, admiring their presence.
Although she found it enjoyable to witness, she admitted it was challenging because she deeply wished she could be the one in their place.
Totah's journey is one of courage and resilience, and she remains committed to continuing her career as her authentic self. “I plan to play roles I haven't had the opportunity to play. And I can only imagine how much more fun it's going to be to play someone who shares my identity, rather than having to contort myself to play a boy.”
Her essay concluded on a hopeful note, declaring her excitement for the future. “I'm going to gun for those roles, be it a transgender female or a cisgender female. Because it's a clean slate — and a new world.”
Josie Totah's journey from a Disney child star to an influential figure in Hollywood reflects her commitment to living authentically. Whether breaking the internet with playful TikTok moments or advocating for self-expression through her work, Totah inspires fans by embracing her true identity and challenging stereotypes in the entertainment industry.
