Culture

Mindy Kaling and Laverne Cox react to Josie Totah coming out as transgender

  • Aug 21 2018
  • Written by Josh Jackman

Mindy Kaling and Laverne Cox were two of the stars to come out in support of Totah (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty and Jamie McCarthy/Getty and Mike Coppola/Getty)

Mindy Kaling, Laverne Cox and other stars have welcomed actress Josie Totah’s decision to come out as transgender.

The 17-year-old star, who has featured in Glee, Champions and Jessie, made the revelation in a powerful essay for Time magazine in which she said she regretted allowing herself to become known as a gay boy.

Totah introduced the essay on Twitter by writing: “For so long I’ve been trying to hide who I was. And I did it in fear. In fear that I wouldn’t be accepted or loved.

“I know now more than ever I’m ready to take the step to becoming myself. I am Transgender and this is my story.”

And stars rushed to congratulate her on taking the step of coming out publicly.

Champions creator Mindy Kaling, who starred in the fantastic Ocean’s 8 this year, praised her star, writing: “I love you, Josie.

Totah has starred in Champions and Glee (Mike Coppola/Getty)

“I’m so glad you’re able to speak your truth and live as your authentic self. You’re also so damn talented – I can’t wait to write for you again! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️”

Laverne Cox, who has struggled to blaze a trail for trans actors with her roles in shows like Orange is the New Black, wrote: “Congrats Josie on stepping into yourself. Best of luck in college. #TransIsBeautiful.”

Legendary lesbian actress Jane Lynch told Totah: “I support you, my friend! Love you.”

Groundbreaking trans activist Janet Mock said: “Welcome to the sisterhood, Josie!

Janet Mock attends the "Pose" New York Premiere at Hammerstein Ballroom on May 17, 2018 in New York City (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Mock has directed and produced on the set of landmark show Pose (Theo Wargo/Getty)

You’re such a talent. I loved you on CHAMPIONS, and can’t wait to see you shine! #girlslikeus”

Fellow trans teen and reality TV star Jazz Jennings tweeted: I’m so proud to see you living in your truth!! Keep being you .”

Sense8 star Jamie Clayton, who earlier this year criticised Scarlett Johansson for briefly taking on a trans role in a film, said: “HUGE FAN of yours!! Congrats Josie!!! ☺️✨”

Crystal Chappell, who starred on Days of Our Lives, tweeted: “Totally support you Josie!”

In her essay, Totah described having profound anxiety about her gender identity, adding that she felt she was lying by allowing people to believe she was gay.

Totah also wrote that she wore girls’ clothes under her clothes, and had a crippling fear of going through male puberty.

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 28: J.J. Totah attends City Year Los Angeles' Spring Break: Destination Education at Sony Studios on April 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for City Year Los Angeles)

She said she had “come to believe that God made me transgender” (Randy Shropshire/Getty)

She also spoke about her faith, and said she has “come to believe that God made me transgender.”

Going forward, she said she hoped to play female roles so she won’t have to “contort” herself to play a boy.

She added that she will “gun for those roles” because “it’s a clean slate – and a new world.”

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