Amy Poehler's Teen Flick, 'Moxie,' Is Based on a Popular Novel By Jennifer Mathieu, Amy Poehler Has Found “Really Emulsified, Juicy Relationships” in Her 40s, Christian Speaker Jen Hatmaker Stands Firm on Her Support of the LGBTQ Community. When I was on the show Glee, I’d stand back and watch Lea Michele. She is known for her role in the Disney Channel series, Jessie . In some ways, I felt like I was lying by letting people believe I was that gay boy. Click to expand the Mega Menu Click to Expand Search Input But I realized over the past few years that hiding my true self is not healthy. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Former "Champions" star J.J. Totah revealed in a new personal essay that she's transgender and goes by the name Josie. In addition to playing Lexi on Saved by the Bell and CJ on Moxie, the actress — who voices Natalie — can be partially credited (along with Patti Harrison who had a hand in writing her) with making the animated Big Mouth funny again! Then I found myself playing that role once I got into the entertainment industry, and people kept assuming my identity. * The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. Josie Totah was born as a biological boy but publically came out as a transgender woman on August 20, 2018. Josie … From that point on, I hit the ground running. Josie Totah, also known as J.J. Totah, is an American actress. You have a limited number of free articles. Trans TV star Josie Totah will star in reboot. One of the exciting new characters includes Lexi played by Josie Totah – a sassy but classy high schooler that rivals the Kardashians in both attitude and outfits. Because it’s a clean slate — and a new world. Totah starred in the Mindy Kaling-produced comedy Champions. A post shared by josie totah (@josietotah) 10 facts on Josie Totah: Josie Totah was born on August 5, 2001, and as of 2020, she is 19 years old. I don’t feel like there was a mistake made. She is known for her recurring role on the Disney Channel series Jessie and supporting role on the 2013 ABC comedy series Back in the Game.Totah received critical praise for her role in the 2016 film Other People.In 2018, she starred in the short-lived NBC comedy series Champions. I looked over at her in the middle of the show and said, “This is me. Like many trans people, I developed serious anxiety as I hid who I was. The FRC notes that the millennia-old understanding that human sexuality is "inborn and fixed, … 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. What's interesting is how unflinchingly Totah talks about her fears prior to and after her coming out. I had no idea Big Mouth was going to deliver a great trans character, but now I’d hold it up as a model of how to do representation right.". I identify as female, specifically as a transgender female. The docuseries was about another 14-year-old, Jazz Jennings, a transgender girl who was going through a medical transition. These days, Josie stars in Netflix's Moxie as CJ, who is able to become her true self thanks to her group of empowering friends. Rising star Josie Totah may be a new name to many watching the Peacock reboot of Saved by the Bell, but she’s been working on television since she … Finally, in 2018, the former J.J. Totah came out of the closet as transgender and hustled a name for her- Josie. By signing up you are agreeing to our, Arkansas Becomes First U.S. State to Enact Anti-Trans Law Banning Gender Confirming Medical Care for Young People, How Black Filmmakers Are Reclaiming Their History Onscreen. Please try again later. Josie Totah has been gracing your television screen for nearly a decade. In her TIME essay, Totah addresses the … I almost felt like I owed it to everybody to be that gay boy. Gender: Female Origin: American Meaning: God Will Add 1. All Rights Reserved. Totah cites the TLC docuseries I Am Jazz as a huge influence on her and credits her mother for the support she's given to Josie's decision. Kaling, 39, shared her support for Totah in a tweet, writing, “I love you, Josie. After playing cisgender males on various TV shows and movies, Josie Totah shared that she is a transgender woman in 2018. I also couldn’t be myself. ", Back in 2018, Josie made headlines for her brave coming-out essay on Time magazine. She is their third child and has one sister and one brother. Before coming out as a transgender, Josie Totah stood back and watched the actresses enjoying their dresses on the sets of ‘Glee’. "My pronouns are she, her, and hers. This is not a choice that I made. Before revealing her gender identity, the Disney star formerly known as J.J. Totah took a break; she's back with a new style and sense of self So, listen up y'all: You can jump on or jump off. Numerous reporters have asked me in interviews how it feels to be a young gay man. In her powerful 2018 Time Magazine essay, "My Name Is Josie Totah — And I'm Ready to Be Free," then 18-year-old Josie Totah came out as transgender and the world took notice.. Keep reading to learn more about this talented Moxie and Saved by the Bell actress. "I realized over the past few years that hiding my true self is not healthy," she penned. "My pronouns are she, her and hers. Totah, who had roles in Disney's "Jessie" and "Sofia the First," as well as shows including "New Girl" and "Glee," wrote that she always let people assume that she was a gay male, and only clarified previously that she identified as LGBTQ. I identify as female, specifically as a transgender female. Subscribe for just 99¢. Josie Tuta, c. Tota is an American actor. Josie Totah: Taking On The World (Heels Included) Saved By The Bell has received an exhilarating reboot filled with characters old and new, and raving reviews on top of that. Trans representation on TV is moving in the right direction, as GLAAD's media study on LGBTQ television representation in the 2020-2021 season points out. I’m so glad you’re able to speak your truth and live as your authentic self. 'Chicago P.D. It allows me to gain perspective, to be more accepting of others, because I know what it feels like to know you’re not like everyone else. She was fabulous. I identify as female, specifically as a transgender female. (Randy Shropshire/Getty Images) "Even among people who have undergone inpatient gender reassignment procedures, suicide rates, psychiatric morbidities, and mortality rates remain markedly elevated above the background population," states the bill. There's been an eight percentage point increase in the number of characters played or voiced by transgender actors. I’m ready to be free. There are still things that scare me. Acting has always been my passion. But she appeared in public as a transgender woman on August 20, 2018. Subscribe for just 99¢. OK, this may be hard to believe, but former Disney Channel star Josie Totah turned 19 years old on Wednesday, August 5. It’s a feeling I’ve experienced in nearly every project I’ve worked on. 19-year-old actress Josie Totah spent the first seven years of her remarkable career playing male roles before she decided to take a break from the … © Copyright 2021 Distractify. View this post on Instagram. Either way this is where I'm heading.". But when my friends and family call me Josie, it feels like I’m being seen. Give us more characters like Natalie who do more than suffer and teach life lessons. It’s something everyone wants, to feel understood. Thank you for reading TIME. I’m going to gun for those roles, be it a transgender female or a cisgender female. Since I could speak in full sentences, I was like, “Give me a dress!” I always knew on some level that I was female. This is your last free article. And my name is Josie Totah. Totah, gay boy.”. She is best known for her role in the Disney Channel series Jessie, Back in the Game, … You can unsubscribe at any time. And Josie Totah has been an invaluable part of that movement. Distractify is a registered trademark. She recognizes that there was the possibility she would not be accepted and her coming out as transgender would cause embarrassment. Once I got on the hormone blocker, which basically stopped my testosterone, that part changed. She has been on the social security list since records began to be kept. Josie Totah is speaking out about making sure there was proper representation and diversity behind the scenes of Saved By The Bell.. This is not something that just happened. I was even introduced that way before receiving an award from an LGBTQ+ rights organization. My pronouns are she, her and hers. Josie Totah (born August 5, 2001), formerly known as J. J. Totah, is an American actress. I am so insanely grateful to be among this incredible…” Josie Totah publicly came out as transgender through TIME Magazine in August 2018 then changed her first name from Joseph to Josie. Subscribe for just 99¢. As it turns out, she also serves as a producer on the series. You have 2 free articles left. She was born as the son of Suheil Totah and Christine Totah but now identifies as a female. A post shared by Josie Totah (@josietotah), She went on, "If we were going to explore her gender identity, there had to be going [sic] representation behind the camera or in our writers' room or on our producing team ... because I didn't feel comfortable doing a show that explored my character's gender identity if representation didn't exist. It was magical as Totah fantasized to replace them and live the moment. The 17-year-old actress began her career on the Disney Channel series “ Jessie ,” where she presented under a … (She asked that a production photo from her professional work be used to accompany this essay, rather than a personal photo that puts emphasis on her current appearance.). Josie Totah was born on August 5, 2001, in Sacramento, California, United States of America. And her rising star shows no sign of slowing down. I'm ready to be free. 146.4k Likes, 1,133 Comments - Josie Totah (@josietotah) on Instagram: “#forbes30under30 issue is out next week. She’s Previously Dealt With Rumors About Her Sexuality. Don't miss Josie in Netflix's Moxie and Big Mouth, and NBC's Saved by the Bell. And my name is Josie Totah," Totah wrote. And I’m scared that I’ll be judged, rejected, made uncomfortable, that people will look at me differently. An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. Everything On Josie’s Sexuality and Gender. In her powerful 2018 Time Magazine essay, "My Name Is Josie Totah — And I'm Ready to Be Free," then 18-year-old Josie Totah came out as transgender and the world took notice. Josie Totah Explores Gender Identities in Film and Television — Details on the Star and Josie Totah says making Moxie made her feel less alone. I’m grateful for roles I’ve gotten to play on shows like Champions, and I know I’m lucky to be able to do what I love. Meaning of the name "Josie" Josie name is the name of a girl of English origin meaning "Jehovah rise". Keep reading to learn more about this talented Moxie and Saved by the Bell actress. "I know now, more than ever, that I'm finally ready to take this step toward becoming myself. © 2021 TIME USA, LLC. Digital But it crystallized about three years ago when I was a 14-year-old watching the show I Am Jazz with my mother. I wasn’t waking up every day and panicking. Josie Tuta, c. Tota is a... Josie Tuta was born to a real son. By Cassie Carpenter For Dailymail.com. Josie Totah Didn't "Come Out" — She's Always Been Here. Also, she identified herself as a female, “specifically as a transgender female.” Josie Totah before surgery and … I believe that I am transgender to help people understand differences. This week, I’m going off to college. Josie Totah Before Surgery, Gender, Pronouns. Magazines. And it was fun to see her and the other girls wear dresses and put on lavish musical numbers. 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. The 17-year-old star, formerly known as JJ Totah … "The more we got to talking about the character and her storyline, specifically her gender identity, it became clear to me that if I was going to do the show, I needed to have more stake in it," Josie told Variety about her decision to have a hand both in front of the camera as well as behind it. And I need to go through this.” My mother, who is immensely supportive and gracious, said, “Okay, let’s do it.” Three days later I was meeting with my pediatrician, who referred me to a specialist, who put me on a hormone blocker. Transgender actress Josie Totah joins Elizabeth Berkley and Mario Lopez in Peacock's Saved By The Bell reboot. I’m also going to continue my acting career, and I am so excited to do both things as myself. On the TV side, the actress stars in the Peacock revival of every '90s kid's favorite show, Saved by the Bell, where she plays Lexi, the most popular girl at Bayside High. But that has never been the way I think of myself. Could Ibogaine Become a New Treatment for Addiction? We are so proud of Josie Totah for writing such a powerful and moving essay to open up to the world about her gender identity.. In a review of the show by Them's Samantha Allen, the author writes: "As trans representation advances and expands, I’m excited to see more shows eschew archetypes and embrace nuance. You have 1 free article left. Josie Totah Age, Height, and Net Worth 2020. Furthermore, her zodiac sign is Leo. 'Moxie' Cast Josie Totah Age And Gender Explored. And my name is Josie Totah," she continued. Over the interview, Josie Totah shared that she preferred the pronouns: she, her, and hers. And I knew that I was giving myself what I needed, that I didn’t have to be afraid of that anymore. Either way this is where I’m heading. Wednesday, March 10, 2021 Josie Tuta was born to a real son. Josie Totah, formerly known as JJ Totah, came out as transgender last month The 17-year-old has appeared on Glee, Disney Channel and NBC's Champions where … Please attempt to sign up again. As she fearlessly evolves her body of work with each new project, Totah is fast proving to be one of Hollywood's most engaging and sought after young talents. Josie Totah opened up about her gender identity for the first time publicly on Monday, telling fans in a Time magazine essay that she identifies as transgender. I don’t feel like I was put in the wrong body. Josie Totah: Personal Life, education, transgender. Digital So, listen up y’all: You can jump on or jump off. You have reached your limit of 4 free articles. Saved by the Bell star Josie Totah has opened up about her groundbreaking transgender role in the rebooted series.. Yep, you may remember her from the fan-favorite show Jessie, but now, the actress is all grown up and ready to take on the world! The new cast will be led by Josie Totah, an 18-year-old transgender actress. I wasn’t ready to be more specific. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. I’m afraid of that moment when someone looks at the ID, looks at the photo, looks at the gender marker – looks at you. For those who missed it, Josie seriously inspired fans everywhere in August 2018 when she came out as transgender in an essay published by … But I also feel like I let myself be shoved into a box: “J.J. The 19 … Josie is fun and friendly: among the winners of the nicknames. “Is there hair on my face? Ever since, Josie has been paving a powerful new path in Hollywood. ': Jay Tells Hailey He Loves Her — Will She Say It Back? I understand that they didn’t really know better. I plan to play roles I haven’t had the opportunity to play. I hid the girls’ clothes I really wanted to wear under sweatpants and sweatshirts. You have 3 free articles left. In the past, I’ve halfway corrected people by telling them I identify as LGBTQ. Magazines, My Name Is Josie Totah — And I'm Ready to Be Free. When I was really young, growing up in a small town in Northern California, people would just assume I was gay. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our. This Is What Happened to Dr. Charles' Wife on 'Chicago Med,' in Case You Need a Refresher, Here's the True Story Behind Sidonie in 'Madame Claude', Sasheer Zamata Admitted That She Has a Matching Tattoo With This Celebrity. Delivery truck driver questioned in deadly hit-and-run in downtown New Haven, police say. Josie began her acting career at an early age and quickly became a child star for her roles in series like Jessie, Back in the Game, Glee, and Champions. And I had an enormous fear of male puberty. And Josie Totah has been an invaluable part of that movement. Identity documents can be hard for transgender people to change. I’m scared that being transgender is going to limit me in that way. The talented young performer boasts an impressive resume, having previously starred in … And my name is Josie Totah." I never want to feel like I’m not allowed in somewhere because of who I am. And, as a semi-religious person who went to Catholic school, I have come to believe that God made me transgender. I’m transgender. Josie Totah said she was “grateful” for roles she has played over the years, but regretted allowing herself to become known as a gay male rather than as a transgender female. Josie Totah is an immensely talented actor, writer and producer with a gift for bringing dynamic characters to life. Best known for her role in the … Moxie star Josie Totah says cisgender men shouldn’t be awarded for ‘putting on a wig’ and playing trans parts ‘It is extremely imperative that trans people get to play trans roles,’ she said Is my voice getting deeper?” Those changes are very hard, if not impossible, to reverse. Last News: Adobe CC training for $34: Master design, video editing, and more with this 12-course deal. On the playground, I was the type of kid who wanted to sing with the girls, not play soccer with the boys. Josie Totah previews Peacock's "Saved by the Bell," including her "it" girl character and exploring gender identity on-screen. Subscribe for just 99¢. But it was also hard, because I wanted that to be me. As I learned more information about hormone replacement therapy, I knew that this was what I had to do. And I can only imagine how much more fun it’s going to be to play someone who shares my identity, rather than having to contort myself to play a boy. All Rights Reserved. I know now, more than ever, that I’m finally ready to take this step toward becoming myself. But she appeared in public as a transgender woman on August 20, 2018.