Teen Vogue Editor Highlights Vivian Jenna Wilson’s Compelling Voice in Candid Interview
Versha Sharma, editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, revealed that her close attention to Vivian Jenna Wilson, Elon and Justine Musk’s 20-year-old daughter, began around the time of last fall’s presidential election.
“Observing her TikTok presence and online activity, we recognized her uniquely impactful, engaging, and humorous voice, capable of cutting through online discourse with wit,” Sharma stated in a Friday phone conversation.
Interview Origin and Social Media Impact
Writer and comedian Ella Yurman secured an interview with Wilson, marking her Teen Vogue debut on the cover of a special edition. The interview rapidly gained traction across social media platforms following its publication on Thursday.
Key Topics Discussed
In the interview, Wilson, a transgender woman, addressed diverse subjects, including:
- Fame: Questioning her own celebrity status, stating, “I don’t consider myself famous yet because I aspire to achieve more to warrant that recognition.”
- Social Media: Affirming her active online presence with, “I am the Queen of Threads.”
- Family: Expressing uncertainty about sibling count: “I honestly do not know the exact number of siblings I have.”
- Politics: Describing her evolving political views: “My political stance is continuously shifting and developing.”
Addressing Relationship with Elon Musk
However, it was Wilson’s detailed discussion regarding her father that ignited online conversations immediately after the piece’s release. She addressed the controversy surrounding his hand gestures at a presidential inaugural event in January, stating, “Let’s be direct, and call a Nazi salute exactly what it was.”
Wilson emphasized her financial independence and disclosed severing contact with Mr. Musk since 2020. She indicated his support during her gender transition and initiation of testosterone blockers was “not as supportive as my mom.” Furthermore, she asserted her willingness to publicly disagree with him despite his considerable wealth and influence.
“People often thrive on fear,” Wilson commented. “I refuse to allow that to occupy my thoughts.”
Mr. Musk did not provide a response to requests for comment and has not publicly acknowledged the interview.
Teen Vogue’s Editorial Stance
Sharma explained that her editorial team anticipated potential controversy in publishing a piece critical of a prominent global figure. “We anticipated possible reactions, but our priority was to center the narrative on Vivian and highlight her individual identity beyond her familial connection,” Sharma clarified.
Behind the Scenes of the Interview
The interview was conducted remotely via Zoom, with Wilson participating from Japan. Yurman and the Teen Vogue team engaged with Wilson over several months in the interview process. To complement the piece, Teen Vogue organized a photoshoot in Tokyo with photographer Andy Jackson, drawing inspiration from the film “Lost in Translation” and themes of youthful maturation.
Visual Representation and Authenticity
“Teen Vogue’s photoshoots consistently aim for boldness, vibrancy, and capturing subjects in motion, striving to depict the genuine experiences of contemporary teenagers and young adults,” Sharma noted. “Vivian, while extraordinary, is still a 20-year-old, and we aimed to portray her and her environment authentically.”
Interview Tone and Family Dynamics
The interview balanced informal discussions about Wilson’s interests and aspirations with serious examination of her relationship with Mr. Musk.
Family Members’ Public Comments
Wilson, who has not offered further comments since the Teen Vogue piece, is among several of Mr. Musk’s relatives who have publicly commented on his personal and parental conduct. Grimes, his partner and mother of three children, has frequently used social media platform X to raise concerns, recently requesting his intervention regarding a child’s unspecified medical issue. Mr. Musk’s father, Errol Musk, publicly questioned his son’s parenting skills in a podcast interview, later clarifying to The New York Times that “the press misinterprets things” and that he maintains a positive relationship with his son.
Vivian Wilson’s Unique Perspective on Elon Musk’s Politics
Wilson’s Teen Vogue interview, identified as her second major interview after a previous NBC appearance last year, presented a distinctive viewpoint on Mr. Musk’s political engagements, notably including criticism of the transgender community. In a past interview with Jordan Peterson, Mr. Musk referenced Wilson, using his former name and pronouns, stating she was “dead — killed by the woke mind virus.”
Wilson stated in the Teen Vogue interview that Mr. Musk’s political views have become more conservative, clarifying that she believes this shift is not related to her transgender identity.
“His shift further to the right – and please emphasize ‘further’ – is not because of me,” she asserted. “That’s a ridiculous notion.”
Teen Vogue’s Commitment to Transgender Advocacy
Sharma emphasized that addressing transgender matters is a key priority for Teen Vogue.
“We strive to serve as a resource for transgender youth and all marginalized young people who feel targeted,” she affirmed. “We are witnessing increasing threats to their access to healthcare, fundamental rights, and basic identities.”
Broader Portrayal Beyond Identity
Both Sharma and Yurman expressed their intention to present Wilson in a more comprehensive light.
“The interview possesses a lightheartedness that evokes laughter and provides engaging content, reflecting her personality,” Sharma commented regarding Wilson. “She embodies the essence of a 20-year-old deeply immersed in online culture, irrespective of her family background, and that authenticity resonates in the piece.”
Humanizing Transgender Narratives
Yurman, via email, mentioned ongoing conversations with Wilson about the “surreal” experience following the story’s publication. She hopes readers will gain a genuine understanding of Wilson.
“I hope readers recognize Vivian as an individual, like anyone else,” Yurman stated. “Much of current coverage surrounding transgender individuals, even prominent figures, excessively emphasizes their transgender identity, reducing them to stereotypes lacking depth. My primary goal was to provide Vivian with an opportunity to present her authentic self to the world.”