Karan Brar and Josie Totah. Photo: Steven Ferdman/Getty; josietotah/TikTok; Monica Schipper/Getty
Josie Totah and Karan Brar, beloved for their roles on the Disney Channel series Jessie, recently set social media ablaze after sharing a playful and seemingly romantic TikTok video. However, the duo quickly clarified that the viral moment was just a joke, quelling speculation about their relationship status.
Totah, 23, and Brar, 25, starred alongside Debby Ryan in the popular series from 2011 to 2015. Their recent TikTok clip, which showcased Brar wrapping his arms around Totah before she leaned in for a kiss, fueled online chatter, with fans wondering if the former co-stars had taken their friendship to the next level.
In response to the frenzy, Totah posted a follow-up video on TikTok, laughing as she repeatedly stated, "It was a joke." She captioned the post, "We are two platonic best friends who danced a little too close to the sun," making it clear that there was no romantic involvement.
Brar also addressed the situation on his Instagram Stories, writing, "It was a joke," and adding that the two had no intention of "gaslighting" their audience.
Despite their clarifications, fans remained divided. One comment read, "That did not look like a joke," while another expressed disappointment, saying, "Well, you can't be joking like that because now I'm disappointed."
Totah joined the cast of Jessie in 2013, portraying Stuart Wooten, a character smitten with Skai Jackson's Zuri. Brar played Ravi Ross, one of Zuri’s siblings, in the show, which also starred Peyton List and the late Cameron Boyce as part of the Ross family cared for by their nanny, Jessie.
In 2018, Totah publicly came out as a transgender woman in a heartfelt essay for Time, sharing her journey of self-discovery. At the time, she reflected on the challenges of being misunderstood and the fear of not being accepted, particularly by fans of her Disney Channel work.
“I realized over the past few years that hiding my true self is not healthy,” Totah wrote. “I know now, more than ever, that I’m finally ready to take this step toward becoming myself. I’m ready to be free.” She affirmed her pronouns as she/her and shared her name, Josie Totah.
For fans wanting a dose of nostalgia, Jessie remains available to stream in full on Disney+.
