Page is a top Hollywood star and his journey will be a major event for the trans community
Elliot Page, the Oscar-nominated star of Juno has come out as Transgender, and has changed his name from Ellen Page. The news was shared on social media, and while Elliot expressed his profound happiness for this change, he’s also worried about a possible backlash from fans.
Thus is a landmark move for a top Hollywood star, and Page thanked supporters in the trans community for helping him to “finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self.”
Support from the industry
Page came out as gay in 2014 and was a prominent face for Hollywood’s LGBTQ community, and later married professional dancer and choreographer Emma Portner in 2018.
His decision to come out as trans quickly won him the support from both the industry and beyond. GLAAD, an LGBTQ charity organisation called him “remarkable” and “an outspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people.” The group’s director Nick Adams called him an inspiration for countless trans and non-binary people.
Netflix, the streaming service for his show The Umbrella Academy also tweeted out in support of him saying, “So proud of our superhero! We love you Elliot!”
Page became a sought-after star in Hollywood after her role in 2007’s Juno, which was about a pregnant teenager, got nominated for an Oscar. Afterwards, he was part of the X-Men franchise as Kitty Pride and starred in Christopher Nolan’s Inception among many other films as well.
Page joins the small but prominent group of Hollywood transgender stars, such as The Matrix series writer-directors Lana and Lilly Wachowski, Transparent creator Joey Soloway, and actor and activist Laverne Cox.
(Cover: Rich Polk/Getty)