Who did Josie Totah play in Jessie? Character explored as actress kisses her co-star Karan Brar in viral TikTok

Josie Totah, who played Stuart Wooten in the comedy series Jessie, is trending online after appearing in a video with actor Karan Brar. The clip went viral on January 13, 2025, after Totah shared it on her official TikTok account.

Josie and Karan were part of the same show on Disney Channel, where Karan portrayed Ravi Ross for about five years. However, Josie Totah had a recurring role in the series, appearing in only seven episodes.

In the video, Josie Totah starts with the camera focused on her smiling face. Karan then approaches from behind and holds her, leading to a kiss between the two. Later, Josie shared another clip on TikTok to clarify that the kissing moment was a joke. The caption stated:

"We are two platonic best friends who danced a little too close to the sun."

Karan's story (Image via Instagram/@karanbrar)

The video has already received millions of views. Karan also addressed the viral video through his Instagram Story on the same day, stating:

"It was a joke. Didn't mean to gaslight y'all <3."

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Josie Totah earned fanbase from her appearances on Jessie

Although the Sacramento, California native has been part of different films and TV shows over the years, she became widely recognized for her role as Stuart Wooten in Jessie. She played a boy in love with Zuri Ross and shared a close friendship with Jessie Prescott, Bertram Winkle, and the Ross family.

In one episode, Josie Totah's character pretends to have fallen for Emma to make Zuri jealous. He later admits that he does not have any feelings for Emma, who becomes annoyed by him. However, the duo becomes close friends.

Stuart also has some likeness towards Luke Ross and decides to repair Kenny the Koala for him. Luke eventually allows him to enter the penthouse and sleeps in Luke's room since the guest room is full of dust mites.

Initially, Stuart and Ravi Ross don't interact much, and he starts disliking Ravi after he taunts him on different occasions. However, they still join each other to work on Luke's koala bear, and things get better between them.

Stuart does his best to impress Zuri by sending flowers and asking her on a date. While Zuri gets engaged to someone, Stuart attempts to entertain her, but the efforts fail.

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Josie Totah and Karan Brar came out on different occasions

Notably, Josie Totah revealed in 2018, during an interview with Time magazine, that she is a transgender woman. At the time, she expressed that she was afraid of being accepted and that her fans would be confused. She stated:

"But I realized over the past few years that hiding my true self is not healthy. I know now, more than ever, that I'm finally ready to take this step toward becoming myself. I'm ready to be free."

On the other hand, Karan Brar revealed in an essay for Teen Vogue in 2023 that he is bisexual. He recalled that he was staying with his co-stars Cameron Boyce and Sophie Reynolds around six years ago when he told them in a drunk condition that he was bisexual.

Karan said that he had regrets for what he did and decided to move out of the place. However, his friends stopped him with hugs. He elaborated:

"I told them I should move out. They told me I was being stupid. I told them I'd cover for them if people asked why we didn't live together anymore. They said to shut the f*ck up. I told them that they probably hated me. They said my bisexuality changed nothing for them."

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Karan Brar is best known for playing Chirag Gupta in Diary of a Wimpy Kid and its sequels. His credits also include shows such as Pass the Plate, Bunk'd, Family Guy, and Cleopatra in Space.