Melissa Jeltsin

When Cheryl learned that Talena legally changed her name, she was surprised to find out that she kept Jana as her middle name.

When Cheryl learned that Talena legally changed her name, she was surprised to find out that she kept Jana as her middle name.

We all have duality in our lives, present different versions of ourselves in different contexts. On Instagram, the image we portray might be a lot shinier than reality. The voice we adopt on a work call might be more optimistic or confident than we really feel. But what happens when the line between our different selves becomes sharper, severing the two worlds?

We all have duality in our lives, present different versions of ourselves in different contexts. On Instagram, the image we portray might be a lot shinier than reality. The voice we adopt on a work call might be more optimistic or confident than we really feel. But what happens when the line between our different selves becomes sharper, severing the two worlds?

When the people in one part of your life can't protect you from the other?

When the people in one part of your life can't protect you from the other?

From iHeart Podcasts, I'm Melissa Jeltsin, and this is What Happened to Talena Zar.

From iHeart Podcasts, I'm Melissa Jeltsin, and this is What Happened to Talena Zar.

Talena's sister, Cheryl, is now a 58-year-old nurse who lives in Pennsylvania.

Talena's sister, Cheryl, is now a 58-year-old nurse who lives in Pennsylvania.

Cheryl remembers Talena as a shy kid, someone she felt she had to stand up for.

Cheryl remembers Talena as a shy kid, someone she felt she had to stand up for.

As kids, Cheryl and Talena were inseparable. As adults, their lives moved in different directions. Cheryl went to nursing school, got married, and had four children before getting a divorce and moving to Pennsylvania. Talena stayed in Indiana, wandered a bit to find her way. She joined the National Guard, then got into computer programming.

As kids, Cheryl and Talena were inseparable. As adults, their lives moved in different directions. Cheryl went to nursing school, got married, and had four children before getting a divorce and moving to Pennsylvania. Talena stayed in Indiana, wandered a bit to find her way. She joined the National Guard, then got into computer programming.

Like her sister, she also got married and divorced at a young age to a man named Russell Lovick, but she never had any kids. Instead, Talena played the auntie role with Glee.

Like her sister, she also got married and divorced at a young age to a man named Russell Lovick, but she never had any kids. Instead, Talena played the auntie role with Glee.

Cheryl's kids loved to come visit Aunt Jana, where they were often spoiled.

Cheryl's kids loved to come visit Aunt Jana, where they were often spoiled.

Talena's close relationship with her three nieces, Cherie, Chantal, and Chelsea, continued into their adulthoods. The girls all settled in the Indianapolis area, close to Talena and most of their extended family. Even after Talena moved to Oklahoma, she made a point to visit frequently.

Talena's close relationship with her three nieces, Cherie, Chantal, and Chelsea, continued into their adulthoods. The girls all settled in the Indianapolis area, close to Talena and most of their extended family. Even after Talena moved to Oklahoma, she made a point to visit frequently.