Justine Wilson, the former wife of tech mogul Elon Musk, has come forward to share insights about their daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, in a new documentary titled *Musk* by acclaimed filmmaker Alex Gibney. The film explores both Musk’s professional achievements and personal life while also providing a candid look at the strained relationship between him and their transgender daughter.
The documentary has stirred controversy, inciting a vehement backlash from Musk, who has labelled the film a “hit piece.” His legal representatives have threatened action over what they allege to be inaccuracies within the portrayal. Justine Wilson, married to Musk from 2000 until their divorce in 2008, is prominently featured in the film, which is currently showing in select locations.
Justine provides a perspective on the difficulties in Musk’s relationship with Vivian, describing her as “extremely strong-willed.” She recalls how the rift began early in Vivian’s life, stating that Musk’s behaviour was often domineering. In specific, Justine recounts an instance from when Vivian was just six years old, where Musk challenged her by asking if she wanted to be a winner or a loser, implying that success was tied solely to conformity with his expectations.
Musk has distanced himself from the documentary by not appearing in it. To depict Musk, Gibney resorted to re-enacting previous statements made by him, thereby sparking further controversy. The director’s approach has drawn ire from Musk and prompted a flurry of public disagreements between him and Vivian, especially concerning her transgender identity.
In the documentary, Justine highlights the emotional toll on Vivian following Musk’s public remarks about her identity, which he discussed via social media platform X (formerly Twitter). His statements have often invalidated her experiences, which Justine suggests perpetuated Vivian’s pain. Justine states, “Elon was telling her, through telling the world, what that point of view actually was,” emphasising a lack of willingness on Musk’s part to mend their familial bond.
Moreover, Justine reflects on Musk’s reaction to Vivian’s transition, likening it to experiencing the death of a child. This analogy bears particular weight as the couple suffered the loss of their first son, Nevada, at ten weeks old. Justine insists that Vivian’s growth and development should be recognised, saying, “What’s really happening here is this is a child growing up.”
In a striking revelation, Justine recounts an instance where Musk instructed her to inform Vivian that he would always love her, only to subsequently cancel her health insurance the very next day following her coming out as transgender. This episode further exemplifies the tumultuous nature of Musk’s relationship with his daughter, which Justine believes reflects deeper complexities in parental relationships.
Stemming from her unique insights as both a mother and an observer of Musk’s persona, Justine expresses concern regarding the emotional distance created by Musk’s dealings with his children. “If you do your job right as a parent, you get displaced by their life, which is no longer your life,” she reflects, indicating the underlying emotional struggles that can arise from parenting.
Meanwhile, Vivian, now a model and activist, has distanced herself from her father’s legacy, notably dropping his surname in 2022. Recently, she articulated her stance on artificial intelligence during an interview with *PEOPLE*, asserting that its commodification of art strips away the critical human emotions embedded in creative expression.
The documentary is slated for broader release on October 16, with significant anticipation surrounding its content and implications for the Musk family. As discussions regarding identity, family dynamics, and the intersection of personal relationships with public personas continue, the documentary provides a platform for voices that have often been sidelined in the narrative surrounding one of the world’s most well-known figures.