You probably recognize her as the sharp-tongued, fashion-forward Lexi from the Saved by the Bell revival or maybe from her early days on Disney Channel. But if you’ve spent any time on social media or looking through old IMDB credits, you might have seen some conflicting info that leaves you asking: is Josie Totah a man?
The short answer? No. Josie Totah is a woman. Specifically, she is a transgender woman.
She hasn't always been public about it, though. For years, the world knew her by a different name and a different gender. It’s one of those Hollywood stories that is actually way more about personal courage than red carpet glamour. Honestly, the way she handled her transition while being right in the middle of a massive acting career is pretty incredible.
That 2018 Time Magazine Moment
For a long time, Josie was working in Hollywood as a "boy" actor. She was everywhere—Glee, Jessie, and the Mindy Kaling-produced show Champions. People just assumed she was a young gay man. Reporters asked her what it was like to be a "gay boy" in the industry, and she’d just sort of go along with it because she wasn't ready to explain the truth yet.
Then, in August 2018, everything changed.
Josie wrote a beautiful, raw essay for Time magazine. She basically told the world, "Hey, you've got it wrong." She explained that she had known she was a girl since she was about five years old. She even remembered telling her mom she wanted a dress as soon as she could speak in full sentences.
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She wrote: "My pronouns are she, her and hers. I identify as female, specifically as a transgender female. And my name is Josie Totah."
That was the end of the "J.J. Totah" era. It wasn't just a name change; it was her finally breathing.
The "Aha!" Moment With Jazz Jennings
Transitions aren't usually just a lightbulb flipping on overnight, but for Josie, there was a specific moment of clarity. She was 14, sitting on the couch with her mom, watching the TLC show I Am Jazz. If you haven't seen it, it's about Jazz Jennings, another famous trans activist.
Watching Jazz live her life out loud made something click for Josie. She looked at her mom right there in the middle of the show and said, "This is me. I'm transgender. And I need to go through this."
Her mom didn't freak out. She didn't argue. She just said, "Okay, let's do it." Three days later, they were at the pediatrician’s office starting the process for hormone blockers.
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Beyond the Transition: A Producer and Powerhouse
It’s easy to get bogged down in the "is Josie Totah a man" question and forget that she’s actually a top-tier talent. When she was cast in the Saved by the Bell reboot as Lexi, she didn't just want to be an actress following a script. She became a producer on the show.
Why? Because she wanted to make sure her character wasn't a stereotype.
Lexi is a trans girl, yeah, but that’s like the fifth most interesting thing about her. She’s also a mean girl with a heart of gold, a fashion icon, and a total boss. Josie worked with the writers to ensure that Lexi's trans identity was just a part of her life—not a tragic plot point or the butt of a joke.
This is huge. In the past, trans characters were often played by cisgender men or portrayed as victims. Josie is part of a new wave—alongside people like Hunter Schafer and MJ Rodriguez—who are demanding better representation.
Why the Confusion Still Happens
Let's be real: the internet has a long memory. If you Google her name, you’ll find old clips from Jessie where she’s playing a little boy named Stuart. If you don't know the story, it’s easy to get confused.
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Some people also wonder about the "man" part because of the physical changes. Transitioning is a medical and social journey. Josie has been very open about using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to align her physical body with who she has always been.
Basically, what you see now isn't a "new" Josie. It’s just the version of her that was hidden for the first 17 years of her life.
What’s Next for Josie?
Lately, she’s been branching out way beyond "trans-specific" roles. She’s in the Apple TV+ series The Buccaneers, which is a period drama set in the 1870s. She plays Mabel Elmsworth, and she is fantastic in it.
She told People magazine recently that while she’s proud of her identity, she "follows the story." She wants to play everything—cis women, trans women, aliens, whatever is interesting. She’s proving that being trans doesn't limit your range; it actually gives you a deeper well of experience to draw from.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Allies
If you're looking to support Josie or just stay informed, here’s what you can do:
- Update your vocabulary: Use she/her pronouns and the name Josie. Referring to her by her old name (deadnaming) is generally considered disrespectful.
- Watch her work: Check out The Buccaneers on Apple TV+ or Saved by the Bell on Peacock. Supporting trans actors in "non-trans" roles is a great way to help the industry evolve.
- Follow the journey: She’s pretty active on Instagram and often shares behind-the-scenes looks at her life and advocacy work.
- Learn the basics: If you're still curious about the transition process, organizations like GLAAD or The Trevor Project have great resources that explain the difference between gender identity and biological sex without the tabloid drama.
Josie Totah isn't a "man who became a woman." She's a woman who had to spend a little time pretending to be someone else until the world was ready to see her for who she really is.