The ongoing public drama between Elon Musk and his estranged transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, has taken a new and unexpected turn. In the wake of Vivian’s collaboration with the gender- and size-inclusive intimates label, TomboyX, for her first-ever lingerie modeling campaign, her famous father has reportedly expressed his outrage.
What was intended to be a breakthrough moment for Vivian, both professionally and personally, has instead ignited a firestorm of criticism from her billionaire father, who has already made his disapproval of her transition and activism abundantly clear.
Vivian’s decision to model lingerie for TomboyX, a queer- and woman-founded brand, marks a significant milestone in her journey of self-empowerment and confidence-building. Having grown up in the shadow of her father’s larger-than-life public persona, Vivian has spent years crafting her own identity, one that is unapologetically her own.
However, as she begins to step into the spotlight in a career that embraces body positivity and inclusivity, it seems that her father’s views on gender and self-expression have clashed violently with her choices.
The decision for Vivian to model for TomboyX was not an easy one. In interviews leading up to the campaign, Wilson openly admitted to feeling terrified at the thought of stripping down for the camera, an experience she had never been comfortable with in the past.
Growing up, Vivian was known to avoid revealing her skin, even when going to the beach with friends, opting to cover up rather than show off her body. However, she saw this campaign as an opportunity to confront her own fears and push the boundaries of her comfort zone.
"I was terrified," she confessed in a Vanity Fair interview. "Before this, I was very much the person who didn’t show any skin, ever, at all." Despite her anxiety, Vivian made the decision to take the plunge and become the face of TomboyX's new trans-focused product line.
With the support of an all-trans glam team—photographer Katia Temkin, makeup artist Laurel Charleston, hairstylist Alyx Liu, and wardrobe stylist Dialló Mítch—Vivian was able to find comfort and confidence as the shoot progressed. The team’s shared experiences as trans women helped foster a sense of community, making the experience more enjoyable than she had anticipated.
The result of Vivian’s bravery and determination is a series of stunning lingerie photos, which she has publicly declared to be some of her favorite images of herself. However, while the public reaction to her debut as a lingerie model has been largely positive, her father’s response has been far less supportive.
Elon Musk, who has previously voiced his disdain for gender ideology and has made it clear that he does not approve of his daughter’s transition, has reportedly reacted with anger and disappointment.
In a recent interview, Musk, who has been estranged from Vivian for years, expressed his shock and disapproval over her modeling campaign, particularly due to its implications on her image as a member of the Musk family. Musk, who has made several controversial statements about gender identity and the use of puberty blockers for transgender youth, reportedly described the decision as “further proof” that his daughter had been led astray by the "woke mind virus."
Musk’s criticism is not a surprise to those who are familiar with his strained relationship with Vivian, but it adds yet another layer of tension to their already complicated family dynamic.
Vivian’s relationship with her father has been marred by years of public discord, particularly surrounding her transition. In the past, Musk has referred to his child’s transition as a betrayal, claiming that he was "tricked" into allowing his son to receive puberty blockers. In a highly publicized interview with Jordan Peterson in 2024, Musk made a statement that the "woke mind virus" had "killed" his son, suggesting that Vivian’s decision to transition had severed their bond irreparably.
"I lost my son, essentially. My son is dead, killed by the woke mind virus," Musk said. "I vowed to destroy the woke mind virus after that." These statements have fueled Vivian’s public resentment, and she has frequently used social media platforms like Threads and TikTok to air her grievances about her father’s views and actions.
Vivian’s public feud with Musk is further complicated by her disillusionment with her father’s approach to parenting. In a recent post, she shared her anger over the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process that her parents used to conceive her, claiming that her sex was "bought and paid for."
Vivian has been vocal about how she views the process of IVF as commodifying children, particularly in her case, where she was assigned male at birth but ultimately transitioned into a woman. She criticized her parents for selecting her sex before conception and referred to the decision as a "monetary transaction."
This claim sparked a renewed debate on social media about the ethics of sex-selective IVF, especially given Musk’s known use of IVF with some of his other children.
In a follow-up post, Vivian doubled down on her criticism, asking, "How the f**k is this legal?" These provocative statements, coupled with her ongoing campaign against her father’s political and social views, have made her a polarizing figure.
Despite her growing popularity as a social media influencer and her burgeoning career in modeling, Vivian’s public life has been largely defined by her father’s legacy. She is often recognized as Elon Musk’s estranged transgender daughter, which has led many to scrutinize her every move.
Her decision to model for a brand that promotes body positivity and trans inclusivity is seen by some as a bold reclaiming of her own narrative, but to others, it’s a direct challenge to the values held by her famous father.
As a model, Vivian has made it clear that she is selective about the brands she works with. In her interview, she emphasized her commitment to ethical business practices and aligning herself with companies that support LGBTQ+ and trans rights. Her collaboration with TomboyX is a testament to her desire to work with brands that reflect her personal beliefs and values.
However, it’s also clear that her professional choices will continue to bring her into direct conflict with her father’s more traditional views.
"I wanted to work with companies that have ethical business practices and high standards," Vivian explained. "And as a bonus, really are aligned with who I am, in terms of a queer and trans woman."
As Vivian’s career progresses, it seems unlikely that the rift between her and Elon Musk will heal anytime soon. Her decision to embrace her identity as a trans woman and openly defy her father’s views on gender and family values is both a statement of independence and a rejection of the expectations placed on her as a Musk.
While the public may see Vivian’s modeling career as a form of rebellion against her father, for Vivian, it is simply a step toward embracing who she truly is. She has already proven herself to be a resilient and self-aware young woman who refuses to be defined by the complex dynamics of her famous family.
Vivian’s journey is one of self-discovery, acceptance, and defiance, and she is not afraid to express her views, even if it means clashing with her father and the world he inhabits.
For Elon Musk, however, Vivian’s rise to prominence as a trans model represents a deeper challenge to the traditional family values he holds dear. As their feud continues to unfold publicly, it remains to be seen how their relationship will evolve.
But for now, Vivian remains committed to her path of self-expression, no matter how much it may frustrate her father. She continues to find strength in her modeling career, in the trans community, and in the newfound confidence she has gained along the way.
In the end, Vivian Jenna Wilson is not just the estranged daughter of a billionaire mogul. She is a woman carving out her own space in the world, unapologetically redefining herself—and making it clear that no one, not even her father, can take that away.