Is Josie Totah dating Karan Brar? Disney star responds to PDA-filled TikTok with costar

Josie Totah and Karan Brar have sparked relationship rumors after a TikTok video went viral on January 12, 2025. The video featured the former Jessie co-stars sharing a kiss, which led to speculations about their relationship status.

The now-deleted TikTok video showed Brar wrapping his arms around the Disney actress from behind while she leaned in for a kiss.

However, Totah denied the dating rumors after uploading another video where she mentioned, “It was a joke.” She captioned the video, “WE ARE TWO PLATONIC FRIENDS WHO DANCED A LITTLE TOO CLOSE TO THE SUN.”

Meanwhile, Brar also responded through his Instagram stories, where he wrote, "It was a joke..didn't mean to gaslight y’all..”

Earlier, in July 2024, Brar seemingly teased a romance with Totah when he shared a carousel on Instagram that featured Totah holding him closely. He captioned the post, “People, places and things.”

What was more surprising for the fans was Totah’s message in the comments section, which read, “Everything is so romantic.”

Despite their clarification, fans took to social media to express their views on the viral video.

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How do netizens react to Karan Brar and Josie Totah’s viral video?

Fans shared a mixed reaction to the kiss shared by Karan Brar and Josie Totah in the viral TikTok video that has taken the internet by storm.

“this was so unexpected but so cute,” a user wrote.

“this is the craziest plot twist I’ve ever witnessed,” another user added.

“Who jokes with their co-workers like that?!” One person pointed out.

“I know this is gonna end up being true love,” one more added.

“They’re not dating but they kissed each other…on the lips..?” a user commented.

“Jessie’s kids are all grown up and stealing the show again- this time IRL. I love a wholesome plot twist,” someone else wrote.

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More details about Josie Totah and Karan Brar

Josie Totah and Karan Brar first met while working for the Disney series Jessie, which aired between 2011 to 2015. The show revolved around the adventures of a nanny, Jessie Prescott, played by Debby Ryan, who worked for the Ross family, which included four children: Emma, Luke, Ravi, and Zuri.

Totah portrayed the role of Stuart Wooten, a boy who had a crush on Zuri Ross, while Brar was Ravi Ross. Since the show has ended, the two remain to be close friends. The pair could be seen frequently collaborating on social media.

In 2018, Totah came out as a transgender, according to a report in Swooon. She shared her transformation journey in an essay for TIME titled, "My Name Is Josie Totah – And I’m Ready to Be Free." Totah wrote in the essay,

“When I was five, long before I understood what the word gender meant, I would always tell my mother that I wished I were a girl.”

"I was afraid I wouldn’t be accepted, that I would be embarrassed, that the fans who knew me from the time when I acted in a Disney show would be confused. 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," she added.

Josie Totah has portrayed the character of Mabel Elmsworth in AppleTV+'s 2023 series, The Buccaneers, according to her IMDb profile. Prior to this, she starred in the reboot of the iconic series Saved By The Bell, where she played the role of Lexi. Champions, Glee, Back in the Game, and 2 Broke Girls are her several other work credits.

Meanwhile, Karan Brar opened up about his mental health struggles in a November 2023 essay for Teen Vogue titled "How I Found Myself." He wrote about how he came out as a bisexual to his roommates, Cameron Boyce and Sophie Reynolds. “They said my bisexuality changed nothing for them,” Brar said.

Knowing their history of friendship over the years, speculations of their relationship are expected to continue for some time among their friends and followers.