Elliot Page described his demons before coming out as trans and spoke of Hollywood having “so much to move on” after MeToo.
The actor, 36, was seen heading to BBC studios where he chatted with Lauren Laverne as he continues to hit the promo trail for his new memoir Pageboy on Monday.
While performing on her show, Elliot spoke about his liberation since coming out as a trans man in 2020 and how his early career in Hollywood was thwarted by issues of gender and queerness.
When Lauren asked him about Hollywood’s development in the wake of MeToo, he said, “The industry needs to go much further. Some things have changed and there has been more talk, there has been more representation, but there is still so much to go.’
In addition, Elliot explained that before coming out, his brain was “devoured with shame and dysphoria and discomfort,” but that he has “reclaimed his creativity” since revealing and embracing his true identity.
Candid: Elliot Page described his demons before coming out as trans and spoke of Hollywood having ‘so much to move on’ after MeToo
He said, “I feel like I’ve reclaimed my own creative life and I can be creative in a way that wasn’t possible before because my brain was occupied and devoured by something unhealthy – by shame and dysphoria and my discomfort. ..
“How that manifested blocked a lot of that and now I feel most embodied and confident and present and it’s led to so much creative power and excitement.”
Elsewhere in the chat, Elliot explained why he wrote his book. me and my body…
“I had space in my brain that used to be taken up by not-so-nice things, so the feeling of writing was so exciting and in this day and age transgender people face so much attack and the anti-trans rhetoric and lies about our lives….
“It felt like a good opportunity to use my platform to share my story as people sharing their stories has helped me a lot, so if it helps someone and gets people seen, it means everything to me.”
Of the emotional nature of the story, he said, “Obviously there were times when I felt overwhelmed and anxious about the venture I was taking on, but I was so lucky with the people I worked with and in so many ways it felt like the words poured out…
“Of course I am only one person and this is my experience. My life does not reflect the lives of most trans people. the privilege I have, the resources I have, the access to health care, so all I can do is share my story.”
Back then: Elliot is pictured in 2006, still identifying as Ellen
Speaking out: The actor, 36, was seen heading to BBC studios where he chatted with Lauren Laverne as he continues to promote his new memoir Pageboy on Monday
That’s when… About his Oscar nomination for Juno, he said, “Juno is a great example of that, as the experience of making the film was one of the best I’ve had, I’m very enjoyed and loved playing the character.”
On the experience of writing the book, Eliot continued, “It was definitely a fascinating experience to go back and reflect on these moments in my life, some positive and some negative and difficult…
“It was validating to start from the beginning and reflect on my earliest memories that were all related to gender and hope.
“I wondered why this was taking so long, so I explored that through all these stories in the book.
How acting helped him, he said: “Acting was very positive in the sense that it gave me an escape and space to feel emotions that I couldn’t feel in my daily life…
“At the same time, it changed the direction I played girls, which caused complications to get where I want to be in life.”
On his Oscar nomination for Juno, he said, “Juno is a great example of that as the experience of making the film was one of the best I’ve had, I enjoyed it a lot and was thrilled to to play the character…
“The promotion was very different and look back at how sad and unhappy that character was so special and I feel like my queerness and transness was part of that and who she was and how she dressed…
“It resonated with a younger audience and when it came to the Hollywood machine and the Oscar track, I hid my girlfriend, disguised myself and was pressured to do so while the other parts of who I am made special to make’.
Of the pinnacle of his success, he said, “I look back on it in a way that feels gross. it’s hard to look back when your ‘dreams come true’ and I felt so ungrateful and unwell. It was not a festive time for me.
Opened up: While appearing on her show, Elliot spoke about his liberation since coming out as a trans man in 2020 and how his early career in Hollywood was thwarted by issues of gender and queerness
Trendy: He looked cool on his way to the interview