If you spent any part of your childhood parked in front of a Disney Channel sitcom, you know the face. Maybe you don’t recognize the name Stuart Wooten immediately, but you definitely remember the nerdy, bow-tie-wearing kid with the massive crush on Zuri Ross. That character was everywhere for a few seasons of Jessie.
Fast forward to 2026, and the internet is still bizarrely obsessed with the connection between that character and the powerhouse actress Josie Totah.
It’s one of those Hollywood evolution stories that feels uniquely "Gen Z." One day you’re watching a precocious kid play a comedic foil in a NYC penthouse, and the next, you’re seeing that same person headline prestige dramas and Apple TV+ hits. But for many, the link between the fictional Stuart and the real-life Josie is where the curiosity starts.
The Stuart Wooten Era: More Than Just a Punchline
Back in 2013, Josie Totah—then credited as J.J. Totah—burst onto the Jessie scene. Stuart wasn't just a guest star; he was a vibe. He was the quintessential "nerd next door" who was relentlessly, and often hilariously, devoted to Zuri.
Honestly, the chemistry was just there. Even as a kid, Josie had this impeccable comedic timing that most adult actors would kill for.
Stuart Wooten appeared in roughly seven episodes, but his impact on the fandom was huge. He was the guy who would go to extreme lengths—like faking a romance with Emma Ross—just to make Zuri jealous. It was classic Disney Channel chaos.
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What’s wild is how that specific role served as a launchpad. While Stuart was a caricature of a "dork," the performance showed a level of range. You saw the physical comedy, the rapid-fire delivery, and the ability to hold the screen against seasoned pros like Debby Ryan.
The Moment Everything Changed
In August 2018, the conversation around the actor behind Stuart Wooten shifted from "child star" to "cultural icon." Josie Totah came out as a transgender woman in a deeply personal and moving essay for Time magazine.
She shared something that hit home for a lot of people. She talked about the fear of being "confused" by fans who knew her from the Disney days. She worried about being pigeonholed or losing the career she’d worked so hard to build since she was a toddler in Davis, California.
"In the past, I’ve often let people believe I’m the person they want me to be. But I realized over the past few years that hiding my true self is not healthy."
Coming out didn't just change her personal life; it redefined her professional trajectory. She didn't want to just be "the girl who played Stuart Wooten." She wanted to be Josie. And the industry, for once, actually listened.
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Josie Totah Today: Beyond the Disney Shadow
If you’re looking at Josie’s resume in 2026, it’s honestly stacked. We aren't just talking about a "where are they now" situation. We're talking about a "how do they have time to sleep" situation.
- The Buccaneers: Her role as Mabel Elmsworth on Apple TV+ has been a massive shift. It’s period-piece drama, corsets, and complex emotional arcs. It’s a far cry from the laugh tracks of the Ross penthouse.
- Saved by the Bell Revival: Playing Lexi Haddad-DeFabrizio allowed her to lean back into comedy, but with a sharp, satirical edge. She also served as a producer on the show, proving she’s got brains for the business side too.
- The Podcast Space: Dare We Say became a staple for listeners looking for authentic takes on identity and pop culture.
People often search for Stuart Wooten and Josie Totah because they’re trying to connect the dots between the past and the present. It’s a bit of nostalgia mixed with genuine awe at how someone can navigate the transition from child stardom to adult prestige so gracefully.
The "Prank" That Broke the Internet
We have to talk about the Karan Brar incident. Around early 2025, a video went viral showing Josie and her former Jessie co-star Karan Brar (who played Ravi Ross) looking very cozy. There was a kiss. There was cuddling. The internet, predictably, lost its collective mind.
"Are Stuart and Ravi dating?!" was the headline on every gossip site for about 48 hours.
The reality? They’re just best friends. Josie eventually had to hop on TikTok to clear the air, laughing about how they "danced a little too close to the sun." It was a joke that got out of hand, but it proved one thing: the bond between the Jessie cast is still rock solid. They grew up together in a very strange, very public pressure cooker, and that kind of friendship doesn't just go away.
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Why We Are Still Talking About This
It’s about authenticity.
In a world where child stars often struggle to find their footing, Josie Totah did something different. She reclaimed her narrative. When you look up Stuart Wooten, you aren't just looking at a character; you’re looking at the first chapter of a much larger book.
She’s of Palestinian and Lebanese ancestry, a graduate of Chapman University, and a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She’s not just an actress; she’s a producer and a voice for a generation that demands to be seen as they truly are.
What to Watch Next if You’re a Fan
If you only know her from the Disney days, you’re missing out on the best stuff. Check out these projects to see what she’s actually capable of:
- Other People (2016): Her performance as Justin is legendary. It’s heartbreaking and hilarious at the same time.
- The Buccaneers: If you want to see her do serious, high-stakes drama in 19th-century London, this is it.
- Champions: A short-lived but brilliant Mindy Kaling series where Josie plays a theater kid who is basically a more evolved, more confident version of the energy she brought to Stuart.
The transition from a character like Stuart Wooten to a lead in a global drama series isn't just luck. It’s what happens when talent meets the courage to be yourself. Whether she's making us laugh on a podcast or making us cry in a period drama, Josie Totah is clearly just getting started.
If you're following her journey, keep an eye on her upcoming film Faces of Death. It’s a pivot into horror that’s already generating some serious buzz in the industry circles. The "Stuart" era was great, but the "Josie" era is where the real magic is happening.