Versha Sharma, the chief editor of Teen Vogue, recently shared her growing interest in Vivian Jenna Wilson, the twenty-year-old daughter of Elon and Justine Musk. This interest sparked around the time of last fall’s presidential elections.
Through observing Wilson’s TikToks and online presence, Sharma was captivated by what she described as a powerful, interesting, and humorous voice that had a knack for cutting through the noise. “Her ability to use humor to address serious topics really stood out to us,” Sharma commented during a phone chat last Friday.
Ella Yurman, a talented writer and comedian, managed to snag an interview with Wilson, which proudly became her debut byline for Teen Vogue and graced the cover of a special edition. The interview became a hot topic on social media platforms soon after it appeared on Thursday.
During this wide-ranging interview, Wilson, a trans woman, tackled subjects from whether she considers herself famous (“I don’t like to say I’m famous as I want to achieve more to earn that title”) to her views on social media (“I am the Queen of Threads”). She also touched on her family dynamics (“Honestly, I don’t know how many siblings I have”) and her evolving political stance (“I am constantly shifting and evolving in my beliefs”).
The internet was particularly abuzz with Wilson’s candid discussion about her famous father. She didn’t shy away from addressing the controversy surrounding his gestures at a Trump-sponsored event in January, stating, “Let’s call it as it is. It was a Nazi salute.” Emphasizing her independence, Wilson noted that since 2020, she hasn’t had a relationship with Mr. Musk and feels he was less supportive during her transition than her mother was. Despite her father’s vast wealth and influence, she remains fearless about speaking out. She articulated this confidence saying, “Fear is how people try to control you, but I’m not giving them space in my mind.”
Mr. Musk didn’t comment on the interview, choosing instead to stay silent on this occasion. Meanwhile, Sharma acknowledged the potential reactions to critiquing the world’s wealthiest man. “We anticipated some pushback, but our focus was firmly on Vivian and revealing who she is beyond just being his daughter.”
The Zoom interview saw Wilson speaking from Japan, with both Yurman and the Teen Vogue crew interacting with her over numerous months. The feature was complemented with a photo shoot in Tokyo, inspired by the movie “Lost in Translation” and featuring coming-of-age themes, beautifully captured by photographer Andy Jackson.
Sharma noted, “Our shoots for Teen Vogue are always vibrant and dynamic, aiming to capture a real sense of what it’s like to be young today. Vivian may have a unique background, but she’s still a 20-year-old, and we wanted to encapsulate her world.”
The interview masterfully weaves between light-hearted insights, such as Wilson’s hobbies and aspirations, and deeper discussions concerning Mr. Musk. Although Wilson did not offer further comments post-interview, she’s not the first in Musk’s circle to shed light on the persona behind the public figure. Even Grimes, who shares three children with Musk, and Musk’s own father have publicly expressed concerns or insights about him.
Wilson’s commentary on Musk’s rightward political drift was candid. She stressed, “His shift further right – and I say ‘further’ very intentionally – is not because of my transition. To think that is just absurd.”
Addressing trans issues held significant importance for Sharma. “We strive to be a supportive voice for trans and marginalized youth facing ever-increasing challenges to their basic rights and identity.”
Both Sharma and Yurman aimed to highlight the multi-dimensionality of Wilson’s character. Sharma enthused, “Wilson is inherently lively and engaging, an extremely online 20-year-old, irrespective of who her parents are. That authenticity shines through.”
Yurman, reflecting on the experience with Wilson post-publication, hopes the interview portrays a genuine and relatable picture of Wilson. “I want readers to appreciate Vivian as the complex individual she is, not just a two-dimensional figure defined solely by her trans identity. Our goal was to let Vivian fully express herself.”
