Ellen is never coming back to play! Elliot Page’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. From making a name in Hollywood as Ellen Page to fully embracing his true self, he’s been open about every step of his transformation.
But what led to this transformation to begin with, and what was the transformation journey like from the first steps as Ellen Page to the now reborn Elliot Page?
Elliot Page Transformation
Early Years of Ellen Page
Elliot Page found early success in the film industry while presenting as female. They began acting at just 10 years old, landing their first role in Pit Pony, which earned them a Young Artist Award nomination. By 18, they had already built an impressive resume with over a dozen roles in films and TV, proving their talent and dedication.
A major turning point in Page’s career came with the lead role in Juno. Critics praised them as “frighteningly talented,” and the film became one of the most celebrated of the 2000s. At just 20, Page made history as the fourth youngest nominee for the Academy Award for Best Actress, an incredible achievement.
Ellen Page and the Empty Feeling
Despite all the success, Page still felt something was missing. From a young age, they knew they were different, signing their name as Jason and even asking their mom if they could grow up as a man. That question never faded, and the struggle with self-acceptance and gender identity followed them into adulthood.
They recalled in Pageboy that, at just four years old, they tried to pee standing up, not seeing themself as a girl. This deep discomfort led to self-harm, hitting themself with a hairbrush, struggling with disordered eating, and turning to alcohol, all in an attempt to escape the pain of not recognizing themselves in the mirror.
Just before turning 27, Page publicly came out as attracted to women and later married dancer and choreographer Emma Portner in 2018. Their relationship had a unique journey, with Portner previously being married to a woman and divorcing a man. The couple separated in 2020, finalizing their divorce in early 2021.
First Transformation for Elliot Page
On December 1, 2020, Elliot Page bravely came out as transgender, sharing their new name and pronouns (he/they) on social media. Their announcement was met with overwhelming support from celebrities and the LGBTQ+ community, solidifying them as an inspiration for many. Even their then-spouse expressed admiration, saying, “Trans, queer, and non-binary people are a gift to this world.”
Elliot Page made history as the first transgender man to appear on the cover of Time magazine. For the milestone shoot, he chose a photographer who truly understood their experience. In the accompanying interview, they opened up about their journey, including their gender-affirming surgery, which they described as not just life-changing, but life-saving.
Now fully embracing their true identity, Elliot shared that deep down, they have always been the person they are today.
The True Self Explained
Elliot is thrilled to finally act as their true self in their own body, saying, “No matter the challenges and difficult moments of this, nothing amounts to getting to feel how I feel now.” Living in harmony with who they are, they now find joy in the little things, like wrapping a towel around their waist after a shower or looking in the mirror and thinking, There I am.
Elliot’s transition didn’t just change their appearance, it reignited their creativity. Since coming out, they’ve felt more inspired than ever, diving into writing a film script, exploring music, and working on a memoir to uplift others. On set, not much has changed, except for one major difference, they finally feel comfortable in their own skin.
Happiness Comes from Within
In an interview for Esquire, Elliot Page was asked if they had experienced body euphoria since transitioning. Their face lit up with a smile as they shared that they feel it every single day. They described how, for most of their life, they were consumed by discomfort, but now, something as simple as stretching in the morning brings them joy.
They proudly confirmed that they still have the six-pack they once showed off, explaining that moments like working out shirtless, jumping into the shower, and simply existing in his body feel like a newfound freedom. For them, body euphoria is found in every day, seeing themself in the mirror, walking with confidence, and finally feeling present in the world.
Elliot Page as a Trans Icon
While many see Elliot as an inspiration for transgender individuals, they view themself as an activist using their platform to fight for trans rights. Despite the overwhelming support they received after coming out, they remain focused on raising awareness about important issues. As they put it, “My privilege has allowed me to have resources to get through and to be where I am today and, of course, I want to use that privilege and platform to help in the ways I can.”
Elliot Page highlighted the harsh realities faced by the transgender community, noting high rates of unemployment, homelessness, and violence, especially against trans women of color. They also pointed out the loss of healthcare access for many, adding, “I do feel like I barely made it in many ways.”
When asked what they’d say to their younger self, Elliot took a moment to reflect before answering, “I would tell myself I was exactly who I saw myself as, and felt myself as, and knew myself as.”