Elliot Page Opens Up About How Promoting ‘Juno’ Forced Him To Suppress His True Identity

It’s no small feat to bare your soul to the world, and it’s even more daunting when that world has seen you through a distorted lens. As an Academy Award nominee and the most famous transgender man in Hollywood, Elliot Page knows this all too well.

Back in 2007, Elliot Page burst onto the Hollywood scene as a quirky, pregnant teenager in Juno. It was a role that captivated the world, earning him an Oscar nomination and cementing his status as an indie darling overnight. 

The film was a hit, and it seemed like everything was perfect. But behind the scenes, things were far from the coming-of-age rom-com everyone saw on screen. 

Now, years later, Page is sharing his journey of navigating fame while grappling with his identity in his memoir, Pageboy.

For many, Juno was a story of youthful resilience and quirky charm. For Page, it was a turning point in his career, but also the beginning of an internal battle that would take years to resolve. 

“Making Juno was a really special experience. It was definitely one of the best filmmaking experiences I’ve ever had,” Page recalls. 

But as the film gained traction, the joy of making it soon turned into a nightmare. The pressure to conform to Hollywood’s expectations became suffocating. “Cut to the film coming out, and then that whole aspect of myself [was] just being told to shove it away,” Page says. 

The industry’s demand for Page to fit into the narrow box of how a female star should look and behave was relentless. Suddenly, he was being told to wear dresses and heels and to hide his girlfriend from the public eye. 

The contrast between the freedom he felt on set and the constraints he faced during promotion was stark and painful. This was only the beginning of a journey that saw Page come out as gay in 2014 and eventually as transgender in 2020. 

His memoir, Pageboy, is a deeply personal account of this journey, detailing the struggles of living authentically in an industry that thrives on curated images and personas. “Writing this, it really was about untangling and unraveling so much of what held me back…where I wasn’t able to be my authentic self,” he shares. 

Tune into the songs that shaped Elliot Page’s journey with this memoir-inspired playlist

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The book dives into the damaging effects of suppressing his true identity and the severe consequences it had on his mental health. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Page also reflects on the empowering experience of coming out and how it has transformed his life and career. 

He speaks fondly of working on The Umbrella Academy, where his character, Viktor, transitioned on-screen in a storyline that felt natural and respectful. “We worked together to make that story work in a way that felt natural and organic,” Page notes, highlighting the supportive environment created by the show’s creator, Steve Blackman.

It’s a beautiful moment in the memoir that highlights how far Page has come—both on-screen and off.

Understanding Gender Identity in Hollywood

Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, an emotion researcher, emphasizes that emotional suppression can lead to significant psychological distress. For someone like Elliot Page, who felt compelled to hide his true identity while promoting his breakout role, this suppression can be particularly damaging.

Barrett explains that societal pressures often force individuals to conform to specific roles that don't reflect their true selves, resulting in internal conflict. This conflict can manifest in anxiety and depression, making it crucial for public figures to embrace authenticity.

Creating supportive environments where individuals can express their identities without fear of repercussion is essential for mental well-being.

As Pageboy makes clear, the journey hasn’t been easy, but for Elliot Page, embracing authenticity has been nothing short of liberating. Page’s story reminds us all that embracing our true selves, no matter how daunting it may seem, is worth every struggle. 

It’s a must-read for anyone who has ever felt out of place and a reminder that everyone deserves to live as their most authentic self.

Experts in the field of psychology highlight the necessity of self-compassion in navigating identity struggles. Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in self-compassion research, suggests that individuals should practice self-kindness and mindfulness during challenging times.

By reframing negative self-talk and embracing one's true identity, people can foster resilience. Neff's work indicates that those who practice self-compassion report lower levels of anxiety and depression. For Elliot Page, prioritizing self-acceptance over societal expectations could serve as a powerful tool to mitigate the emotional toll experienced during his career.

As Elliot Page's experience illustrates, the journey to self-acceptance is often fraught with challenges, particularly in the public eye. Experts like Dr. Barry Schwartz, a choice researcher, remind us that making authentic choices can lead to a more fulfilled life. Schwartz’s research indicates that when individuals align their actions with their true selves, they experience higher satisfaction and lower regret.

Encouraging open dialogue about gender identity and the pressures of fame can help inspire others facing similar struggles. Creating a culture of acceptance not only benefits individuals but enriches society as a whole.