The Truth Behind The Kiss: Are Josie Totah And Karan Brar Dating? (2025 Update)

The internet nearly broke when former Disney Channel co-stars Josie Totah and Karan Brar shared a playful, affectionate kiss in a viral social media video, immediately igniting a firestorm of speculation about a secret romance. As of early 2025, fans of the beloved series Jessie were desperate to know if the on-screen friends, who played Stuart Wooten and Ravi Ross, had officially become a real-life couple.

The truth, however, is far more heartwarming and significantly more platonic than the romance rumors suggested. Both actors have publicly addressed the viral moment, confirming their relationship is not romantic but a deep, supportive, and long-standing best friendship—a bond that has only grown stronger since their days at the Disney Channel. This article dives into the viral sensation, their confirmed relationship status, and the powerhouse careers they’ve built separately since leaving the halls of the Ross family penthouse.

Josie Totah and Karan Brar: Complete Career Profiles

The foundation of the Josie Totah and Karan Brar story is their shared history in the entertainment industry, beginning with the Disney Channel and extending into major roles across film and television. Understanding their individual career trajectories highlights why their current friendship is so significant.

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Josie Totah (Actress, Writer, Producer)

• Born: August 5, 2001 (Age: 23 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Sacramento, California, U.S.
• Known For: Stuart Wooten on Jessie, Lexi Haddad-DeFabrizio on Saved by the Bell (revival), Mabel in The Buccaneers, Michael Lovette in Back in the Game, and J.J. in Champions.
• Key Career Highlights:
  • Gained early recognition for her recurring role as Stuart Wooten, the eccentric neighbor on Jessie.
  • Came out publicly as a transgender woman in a powerful 2018 essay for Time magazine, changing her name to Josie Totah.
  • Received critical acclaim for her starring role as the sharp, popular cheerleader Lexi in the Peacock revival of Saved by the Bell (2020-2021), a role that showcased her comedic timing and LGBTQ+ representation.
  • Starred as Mabel, a young American socialite, in the Apple TV+ period drama The Buccaneers (2023), further establishing her transition to mature, complex roles.
  • Co-hosts the popular podcast Dare We Say with friends Alycia Pascual-Peña and Yasmine Hamady.

Karan Brar (Actor, Voice Actor)

• Born: January 18, 1999 (Age: 26 as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Redmond, Washington, U.S.
• Known For: Chirag Gupta in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film franchise, Ravi Ross on Jessie and the spin-off Bunk'd.
• Key Career Highlights:
  • Broke out as Chirag Gupta in the first three Diary of a Wimpy Kid films (2010–2012).
  • Played the role of Ravi Ross, an Indian-American adopted child, for four seasons on Jessie (2011–2015) and three seasons on Bunk'd (2015–2018).
  • Transitioned to major film roles with appearances in blockbusters like Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018) and the Adam Sandler comedy Hubie Halloween (2020).
  • Starred as Kevin Singh in the Disney+ film Stargirl (2020) and its sequel.
  • Continues voice acting work, including the role of Sanjay in the Disney Channel animated series Hailey's On It!.

The Viral Kiss: Why Fans Thought Josie and Karan Were Dating

The dating rumors surrounding Josie Totah and Karan Brar peaked dramatically following a playful moment shared on social media. The speculation began after a TikTok video circulated widely, showing the two former co-stars in an affectionate, "boo'd up" scenario that culminated in a kiss.

The video, which quickly went viral across Twitter and TikTok, was interpreted by many fans as a soft launch of a new celebrity relationship. Given their shared history on Jessie, the idea of Ravi Ross and Stuart Wooten's actors dating provided a nostalgic, full-circle moment that the Disney fan base eagerly embraced. The playful nature of the video, coupled with the actors’ close, long-standing bond, made the romance narrative highly believable to their followers.

However, the frenzy was short-lived. The actors themselves, aware of the internet's rapid conclusion, stepped in to set the record straight almost immediately. The "relationship" was, in fact, a carefully orchestrated joke designed to playfully mislead their audience and highlight their genuine, non-romantic closeness.

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The Definitive Answer: Platonic Best Friends Forever

In the wake of the viral video, Josie Totah and Karan Brar both clarified their relationship status, confirming that they are not dating and that their bond is strictly platonic.

Josie Totah explicitly addressed the situation, referring to the kiss as a fun, spontaneous moment between close friends. The phrase that has since become a headline is that she can "platonically kiss her bisexual bestie," a statement that simultaneously confirms her romantic orientation and the non-romantic nature of their connection.

Karan Brar echoed this sentiment, often posting about their friendship and mutual support. Their relationship is a powerful example of an enduring friendship forged during their formative years on the Disney Channel. They have remained close confidantes, supporting each other through major life events, including Josie’s public transition and their respective career shifts into more adult roles. Their mutual respect and affection for one another are evident in their continued public appearances and social media interactions.

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The clarification served as a powerful reminder to fans that not every close celebrity interaction is a romantic one, and that deep, meaningful platonic love between friends is just as valuable and newsworthy.

Beyond Disney: Josie and Karan’s Current Projects and Topical Authority

While the dating rumors brought them back into the spotlight, both Josie Totah and Karan Brar have successfully transitioned from child stars to serious, working actors, building significant topical authority in their respective new niches.

Josie Totah: Historical Dramas and LGBTQ+ Representation

Josie Totah has become a prominent figure in the new wave of young Hollywood, using her platform to champion trans visibility and authentic representation. Her role as Lexi in the Saved by the Bell revival was groundbreaking, portraying a confident, popular transgender high school student, earning the show GLAAD Media Award recognition.

Her latest major project, The Buccaneers on Apple TV+, sees her tackling a period drama. Totah plays Mabel, a young American woman navigating the restrictive social expectations of 1870s England. This role is a significant pivot from comedy, demonstrating her range and commitment to exploring complex characters, including those with subtle LGBTQ+ undertones within a historical context.

Karan Brar: Genre Film and Voice Acting

Karan Brar has successfully branched out into the action and sci-fi genres, moving away from the family-friendly comedy of Disney. His work in Pacific Rim: Uprising and the Disney+ film Stargirl showcases his versatility. He has also maintained a strong presence in the horror/comedy space with films like Hubie Halloween, proving his ability to work across different Hollywood formats.

Furthermore, his continued voice work, such as in Hailey's On It!, ensures he remains a staple in the animation world. Brar’s career trajectory is a textbook example of a former child star successfully navigating the transition to adult roles in a variety of high-profile projects.

The story of Josie Totah and Karan Brar is not one of a secret Disney romance, but a testament to an enduring, supportive, and platonic friendship. Their viral kiss was a playful moment between two people who have grown up together in the public eye. As both actors continue to excel in their post-Disney careers—Josie breaking barriers in shows like The Buccaneers and Karan exploring genre films—their bond remains a powerful and positive narrative in Hollywood.