Vivian Jenna Wilson, the 21-year-old trans influencer and daughter of tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, is marking a major personal milestone: five years since she publicly came out as transgender.
Wilson shared the update on her Bluesky account on Sunday, writing, “I came out as trans five years ago today ❤️🏳️⚧️,” celebrating half a decade of living authentically as herself. Known widely across TikTok and social media for her quick wit, political commentary, and growing presence within LGBTQ+ digital communities, Wilson’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and radical transparency.
Since coming out in 2020 at the age of 16, Wilson has become a notable figure in the trans community—both for her activism and for her unfiltered clapbacks at political figures and public commentators espousing anti-trans rhetoric. In the process, she has forged a public identity that stands independent of her high-profile family name.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
Vivian Jenna Wilson is the daughter of Canadian author Justine Musk and billionaire businessman Elon Musk. Despite the attention surrounding her family, Wilson has long expressed her desire to live a life grounded in normalcy and authenticity, especially after navigating a childhood in the public eye.
According to past social media posts, Wilson initially came out in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, confiding in a family member via text: “Hey, I’m transgender, and my name is now Jenna. Don’t tell my Dad.” She was 16 at the time and began her transition privately before sharing her identity more publicly in the years that followed.
In a 2022 post reflecting on their daughter’s growth, Justine Musk recounted a moment of pride. “I’m very proud of you,” she said, recalling a conversation with her then 18-year-old daughter. Vivian reportedly replied: “I’m proud of myself!”
Growing a Platform with Purpose
While Wilson’s early years were marked by media curiosity about her famous lineage, her online presence has since taken on a life of its own. Across platforms like TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky, Wilson has cultivated a reputation for combining humor, social commentary, and unflinching honesty.
Her rise to internet stardom coincided with her vocal stance against transphobia and right-wing attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. In 2023, she made headlines after pushing back against her estranged father’s controversial remarks. Elon Musk, who has repeatedly criticized what he calls “woke ideology,” claimed in an interview that he had “lost” his child to “the woke mind virus.”
Wilson responded with both grace and sass, using her platform to highlight the harmful effects of public transphobia—even when it comes from family. Rather than retreat, she leaned into her role as a public advocate and community voice.
“I didn’t become popular because of who my dad is,” Wilson told Teen Vogue in an interview last year. “I became known for my lore.”
Humor and Resistance
With over a million followers across platforms, Wilson is known for her bold social media presence. She has collaborated with progressive creators like Hasan Piker, shared messages of affirmation for other trans youth, and consistently challenged political figures known for anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.
In October 2024, Wilson went viral after responding to Andrew Tate, the self-described misogynist and internet personality currently facing legal issues in Romania. After Tate attempted to mock her online, Wilson fired back: “Unlike you, I have a life—and I’m not under house arrest for sex crimes.”
Her directness has earned her a following not just for her activism, but for her humor and cultural savvy. She often refers to herself as the “Queen of Threads,” a title she embraced after one of her posts ratioed Facebook and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. “That was the one time I felt like, I am the f**king queen,” she joked in her Teen Vogue interview.
Defining Herself on Her Own Terms
Wilson’s five-year anniversary of coming out is more than a personal milestone—it’s a public statement about resilience and the importance of self-definition. Her identity, once a target of right-wing speculation and family controversy, has become a source of strength and inspiration for thousands of young people navigating similar experiences.
She continues to reject the idea that her relevance is tied to her father’s wealth or notoriety. In a pinned post on her social media, Wilson writes, “I’m not here to be anyone’s legacy. I’m building my own.”
And build she has—through biting humor, thoughtful collaborations, and a refusal to be silenced.
A Beacon for the Trans Community
Wilson’s journey reflects a broader movement of trans youth finding community and confidence in online spaces. In the face of increasing legislative attacks on transgender rights in the United States and abroad, she has emerged as both a symbol of joy and a voice of resistance.
As she celebrates five years of living openly and proudly, her story serves as a reminder of the power of visibility, especially for those navigating identity under intense scrutiny.
Vivian Jenna Wilson may have started as the daughter of one of the world’s most famous tech moguls, but today, she stands as a figure of strength, style, and substance in her own right.
And to her many fans, followers, and fellow trans youth, she offers a simple, powerful message: “I’m proud of myself.”
