Status and identity overview
Josie Totah is a transgender, nonbinary actor and comedian who uses she/they pronouns. She came out as transgender in 2016, discussed top surgery in 2019, and now presents with a more androgynous appearance. Media misgendering occurs because her given name at birth was Michael and she has a deep voice, but she is a woman and her correct pronouns are she/they. Totah voiced MJ in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, joined the cast of Saved by the Bell: The Complex in 2021, and hosts the podcast Gender Reveal.
Name and pronoun clarity
Clarifying how Josie Tothan presents and is referenced supports accuracy and respect. Official name and pronoun information is summarized below.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Current name | Josie Totah | Interviews and social profiles |
| Birth name | Michael Totah | Past interviews |
| Gender identity | Transgender, nonbinary; woman-aligned with a more androgynous presentation | Statement to MTV and other outlets |
| Primary pronouns | She/they | Social media and media style notes |
| Key milestone | Public coming out as transgender in 2016 | YouTube interview, People coverage |
Pronoun usage details
She/her and they/them are both appropriate. In practice, she/her is common in focused profiles; some outlets default to they/them to reflect her nonbinary identity. Context matters: social posts often use she/her, while broader identity coverage may emphasize they/them. When in doubt, mirror the phrasing Josie uses in her latest post or caption.
Background and career highlights
Totah began performing in youth theater and local productions near Sacramento, California. She gained national attention on Last Chance U and later joined the Spider-Verse ensemble. She hosts the podcast Gender Reveal, which explores gender, identity, and pop culture. Her role on Saved by the Bell: The Complex (2021) marked her first scripted series regular role on broadcast television. These milestones underscore her growing influence across comedy and scripted TV while maintaining a focus on identity and representation.
Media misgendering and public confusion
Some headlines and casual references still call Josie Totah a guy because of her birth name and lower-pitched voice. This reflects outdated assumptions and lack of updated style guidance more than factual ambiguity. Outlets that persist in misgendering risk inaccuracy and disrespect. The widely accepted correction is that she is a transgender woman and nonbinary person who uses she/they pronouns and presents with a masculine-leaning but recognizably feminine style.
Comparative snapshot: Josie Totah at a glance
- Identity: Transgender, nonbinary; woman-aligned
- Pronouns: She/they; some flexibility around they/them in identity-first contexts
- Birth name: Michael Totah
- Key roles: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (MJ), Saved by the Bell: The Complex (Ricky)
- Major platforms: Podcast Gender Reveal; social presence where she discusses transition and voice
- Continuity: She remains active; public status and pronouns have been consistent since her 2016 coming out
Why the question persists and how to stay accurate
The question is fueled by her deep voice, the persistence of older references, and occasional headline errors. Reliable sources include her own social posts, podcast episodes, and interviews in outlets such as MTV, People, and Variety. To stay accurate: check the latest captions or bio for pronoun preference, avoid outdated terms, and align language with how she publicly identifies now.