Honestly, the internet has a funny way of making us believe exactly what we want to see. One minute you're scrolling through your feed, and the next, you’re convinced two of your childhood favorites from the Disney Channel era have finally, officially, "hard launched" their relationship. If you saw the video of Josie Totah and Karan Brar—who most fans still affectionately refer to as Ravi—sharing a kiss, you weren’t alone in your mini-meltdown.
The clip was everywhere. TikTok, X, Instagram—it felt like the ultimate "full circle" moment for anyone who grew up watching Jessie.
But here is the thing: the story everyone started telling themselves wasn't actually the truth. In fact, what happened between Josie Totah and Karan Brar (Ravi) is a masterclass in how easily a single 15-second video can gaslight an entire generation of fans.
The TikTok Kiss That Broke the Internet
It started on a Sunday in early January 2025. Josie Totah posted a video to her TikTok that seemed to confirm every fan theory ever written in a Tumblr tag. To the dreamy sounds of Lana Del Rey’s "Brooklyn Baby," Karan Brar walked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and the two shared a very convincing kiss on the lips.
The internet absolutely lost its mind.
The comments were a chaotic mix of "RAVI AND STUART???" and "I’m gagged." For context, Karan played the nerdy, lizard-loving Ravi Ross on Jessie, while Josie played Stuart Wooten, the hyper-intelligent kid who famously had a crush on Ravi’s younger sister, Zuri. Seeing them together as adults, both out and proud members of the LGBTQ+ community—Josie came out as trans in 2018, and Karan came out as bisexual in 2023—felt like a win for representation.
It looked like the perfect queer power couple. Until it wasn't.
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Why We All Got It Wrong
Almost as quickly as the video went up, it vanished. Deleted. Scrubbed from the profile.
Then came the follow-up. Josie returned to TikTok, basically laughing her head off, repeatedly saying, "It was a joke! It was a joke!" She even captioned the explanation by saying they were just two platonic best friends who "danced a little too close to the sun."
Karan backed her up on his Instagram Stories. He literally apologized for "gaslighting" the internet, confirming that the "kiss" was just a prank between two people who have been incredibly close for over a decade.
It was a bit of a gut-punch for fans. Why? Because the chemistry looked real. People were genuinely bummed, with one fan commenting that you "can't be joking like that" because it felt so authentic.
A Friendship Forged in the Disney Trenches
To understand why this prank worked so well, you have to look at the history of Josie Totah and Karan Brar (Ravi). They aren't just former co-stars; they are genuine, ride-or-die friends.
They met on the set of Jessie back in 2013. Think about that for a second. That is over ten years of growing up together in the weird, high-pressure bubble of child stardom. They’ve supported each other through massive life transitions, career shifts, and coming-out journeys.
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- Shared History: They spent years on the same soundstage.
- Mutual Support: Karan has been a vocal supporter of Josie’s career and her transition.
- The "Date Night" Teases: This wasn't the first time they played with fan expectations. Karan has posted "date night" style photos of them before, keeping everyone guessing.
They are comfortable enough with each other to fake a "hard launch" because their actual bond is deeper than a romantic fling. It’s a sibling-level closeness that allows for that kind of boundary-pushing humor.
The Reality of Modern Celebrity Friendships
There is a specific nuance here that often gets lost in the headlines. In 2026, the way celebrities interact with fans has changed. They know we’re watching. They know what "ships" are.
When Josie and Karan posted that video, they weren't just being messy; they were poking fun at the very idea of the "Disney Channel star relationship." They took the nostalgia fans feel for Ravi and Stuart and flipped it on its head.
Is it "gaslighting"? Maybe a little. But it also shows a level of agency. They’d rather control the narrative—even if the narrative is a prank—than let the paparazzi or rumors dictate who they are to each other.
What Most People Miss
People tend to forget that Josie and Karan are now seasoned professionals. Josie has become a powerhouse producer and actress (Saved by the Bell, Champions), and Karan has moved into more mature roles and directing.
They aren't those kids on the Disney set anymore.
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When they do things like this, it's often a way to reclaim their identity. They are no longer just "the kids from that show"; they are adults with a wicked sense of humor who happen to be best friends.
What You Should Actually Take Away
If you're still feeling a bit salty about the "fake-out," try looking at it differently. In an industry where friendships are often transactional or "for the cameras," having a bond that spans twelve years is rare.
The "kiss" wasn't a betrayal of trust; it was a sign of a very secure friendship.
They’ve both been incredibly busy lately—Josie with various film projects and Karan continuing his work in the industry—but they still find time to hang out and mess with the internet. That’s actually kind of wholesome, in a chaotic way.
Next steps for the fans:
- Stop looking for the "clues": They’ve told us they are platonic. Believe them!
- Support their individual work: Follow Josie’s production ventures and Karan’s new acting projects. They are both doing incredible things that have nothing to do with their dating lives.
- Check out the old episodes: If you’re feeling nostalgic, Jessie is still on Disney+. It’s fun to go back and see where the "Ravi and Stuart" dynamic actually started.
The reality is that Josie Totah and Karan Brar (Ravi) are the blueprint for how to stay friends after the cameras stop rolling. Even if they occasionally break the internet just for the laughs.