This Disney Child Star, 24, Looks Very Pretty as Her TikTok with Former Co-actor Went Viral

A former Disney Channel actress has recently captured attention after a TikTok featuring her and a long-time friend went viral, prompting a flurry of reactions online.

Josie Totah gained widespread attention when she posted a TikTok that showcased a fun exchange with her former co-worker Karan Brar. The clip led to speculation about their dating status, which the 24-year-old quickly dismissed.

In the viral TikTok, Brar, aged 27, approached Totah from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist, prompting Totah to lean in for a kiss on the lips. This seemingly intimate exchange sparked significant interest among fans regarding their relationship.

However, shortly after, Totah released a follow-up video aimed at dispelling the dating rumors, emphasizing that "it was a joke" and clarifying that their interaction was purely platonic. She captioned her response with, "We are two platonic best friends who danced a little too close to the sun."

Viewers on TikTok reacted enthusiastically to the clip, sharing their excitement and insights. One commenter said, "YOU ARE VERY PRETTY," while another joyfully asked, "Stuart and Ravi???" in reference to their characters from the Disney show "Jessie."

Another user remarked, "I just realized who you wreeeeee [sic]," and one comment noted, "My jaw dropped like oh my days haahha [sic]." Many expressed their delight at the duo’s chemistry, with one writing, "They would be cute together," and another agreeing that "They lowkey would be cute together tho [sic]."

Some viewers appeared surprised to see Totah in the video. One exclaimed, "Wait that’s Josie [sic]???" while others complimented her looks, with a user stating, "she looks sooo pretty fr [sic]." Another astonished fan added, "FVFGFDCBHTEDVG I DID NOT EXPECT [sic]."

Others were quick to dismiss the dating rumors, highlighting their strong friendship instead. One user wrote, "These two are literally just ride-or-die besties who know how to break the internet. Nice try, gossip mills."

Totah’s rise to fame follows years of personal and professional growth. She is well-known for her portrayal of Stuart Wooten on "Jessie" and has been a public figure since childhood.

Having appeared in seven episodes, Totah shared notable moments with Brar, who featured in a total of 98 episodes as Ravi Ross. Their strong on-screen chemistry and enduring friendship have made their recent TikTok collaboration a delightful surprise for fans.

Totah’s contributions to the entertainment industry encompass acting, writing, and producing, with critics consistently praising her talent for embodying vibrant characters.

In 2018, the "Saved by the Bell" star made a significant move in her personal life by publicly coming out as transgender through an essay in Time magazine. Titled "My Name is Josie Totah — And I’m Ready to Be Free," the piece detailed her experiences growing up and navigating her identity within the entertainment sphere.

In her essay, Totah expressed, "Acting has always been my passion. But I also feel like I let myself be shoved into a box: ‘J.J. Totah, gay boy.’"

She reflected on how others frequently made assumptions about her identity before she fully grasped it herself. "Numerous reporters have asked me in interviews how it feels to be a young gay man," she recalled, adding that she was even introduced this way when receiving an award from an LGBTQ+ rights organization. While she understood their ignorance, she stressed that this portrayal never aligned with how she viewed herself.

Totah reminisced about her early understanding of her gender identity, recalling that even in childhood, she wished to be acknowledged as a girl and desired to wear dresses.

At the age of five, even before comprehending the concept of "gender," she would express to her mother her desire to be a girl and often asked for a dress as soon as she was capable of speaking in full sentences.

Her journey toward self-acceptance was fraught with challenges. Totah discussed her anxiety as she concealed her true self, admitting, "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."

A turning point for Totah came while watching "I Am Jazz," a docu-series that follows Jazz Jennings, a transgender girl navigating her medical transition. She shared that as she learned more about hormone replacement therapy, she recognized it was necessary for her own journey.

During the show, she directly told her mother she was transgender and that it was time to start her transition.

Totah noted that her mother provided unwavering support from the start, readily agreeing to help with her transition by saying, "Okay, let’s do it."

Just three days later, she met with her pediatrician, who promptly referred her to a specialist. Following that meeting, she began hormone therapy with a blocker, excitedly stating she "hit the ground running."

After starting hormone therapy, Totah described a profound sense of relief, noting that the blocker halted testosterone production and prevented physical changes associated with male puberty. She expressed that she no longer woke up in panic about changes like facial hair or a deepening voice.

Understanding the difficulty in reversing those changes, she felt reassured knowing she was taking the necessary steps towards being her true self without fear.

While she felt liberated in many respects, Totah acknowledged the obstacles faced by transgender individuals, particularly in terms of documentation and societal perceptions.

She expressed concern about the challenges transgender people encounter when updating identity documents, stating, "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 these challenges, 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 I am transgender to help people understand differences. It allows me to gain perspective and to be more accepting of others because I know what it feels like to know you’re not like everyone else."

Reflecting on her experiences on set, Totah discussed how challenging it was to portray male characters while yearning to express her true self. She recounted watching Lea Michele and the other girls perform in dresses and elaborate musical numbers on "Glee," admiring their confidence.

While she enjoyed the performances, she admitted it was difficult since she wished she could be in their place.

Totah’s journey is marked by bravery and resilience, as she remains dedicated to pursuing her career as her authentic self. "I plan to play roles I haven’t had the opportunity to play. I can only imagine how much more enjoyable it will be to portray someone who shares my identity instead of having to fit into the role of a boy."

Concluding her essay on an optimistic note, she expressed her eagerness for the future. "I’m going to aim for those roles, whether it’s a transgender female or a cisgender female. It’s a clean slate — and a new world."

Josie Totah at Age 24

Josie Totah’s transformation from a Disney child star to a significant presence in Hollywood exemplifies her dedication to living authentically. Whether she is breaking the internet with her fun TikTok interactions or advocating for self-expression through her work, Totah continues to inspire her audience by embracing her true self and challenging stereotypes within the entertainment field.