Oscar-nominated star Ellen Page has come out as a transgender male named Elliot, six years after he publicly revealed he was gay.
The 33-year-old Canadian actor, who has been married to dancer Emma Portner since 2018, took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to share an emotional statement with the revelation, writing: ‘Hi friends, I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot.
‘I feel lucky to be writing this. To have arrived at this place in my life.’
Elliot, who received an Oscar nod for their role in the hit 2008 movie Juno, asking his followers and fans for ‘patience’, admitting that he is ‘scared’ of the ‘invasiveness, the hate, the jokes, and of the violence’ that he may face moving forward.
‘My job is real, but it is also fragile,’ the actor said, adding: ‘The truth is, despite feeling profoundly happy right now and knowing how much privilege I carry, I am also scared.’
Opening up: Juno star Ellen Page has come out as a transgender male named Elliot, nearly three years after marrying dancer Emma Portner (seen together in June 2019)
‘I feel lucky to be writing this’: The 33-year-old actor took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to share an emotional post with the revelation
Changes: As well as releasing his statement, Elliot also updated his social media accounts, changing his usernames, and adding a new profile picture (above) to his Twitter and Instagram
Emotional: Elliot’s wife Emma took to Instagram shortly after the actor shared his statement to offer public words of support, writing, ‘Shine on sweet E. Love you so much’
In his statement, Elliot did not reveal what stage of his transition process he is in, nor did he share whether he has, or plans to, undergo hormone therapy or top and bottom surgery.
The process of transitioning from female to male is different for every person, however many begin the process with hormone therapy, before deciding whether to undergo top surgery to remove the breasts and breast tissue, bottom surgery to construct a penis, and a hysterectomy to remove the female reproductive organs.
His use of gender-neutral pronouns also suggests that Elliot is non-binary, meaning that he does not identify with any gender specifically – although he did not use this label in his statement.
Elliot, who is currently due to begin filming the third season of Netflix hit The Umbrella Academy in February, also unveiled changes to his official social media accounts, posting on Twitter under the username @TheElliotPage, and on Instagram as @elliotpage.
Although Elliot did not detail how or when he came out to his family, he thanked his loved ones for their support through his journey, expressing his ‘overwhelming gratitude’ for helping him to reach a stage where he felt comfortable to ‘pursue his authentic self’.
Shortly after the actor posted the statement, his wife Emma voiced her public support for him on Instagram, while reiterating her partner’s plea for patience.
‘I am so proud of @elliotpage. Trans, queer and non-binary people are a gift to this world,’ Emma wrote.
‘I also ask for patience & privacy [and] that you join me in the fervent support of trans life every single day. Elliot’s existence is a gift in and of itself. Shine on sweet E. Love you so much.’
She also commented on Elliot’s Instagram post, writing: ‘Love you so much elliot.’
Elliot’s decision to publicly reveal he is transgender comes almost three years after the couple tied the knot in a secret ceremony, having only been dating publicly for six months.
Prior to their relationship, Juno star Elliot had been linked to several different partners, both male and female, including Big Little Lies star Alexander Skarsgård and actress Shailene Woodley – although their romance was never confirmed.
Speaking out: Elliot (pictured in November 2019) publicly came out as gay in 2014 while speaking at the Human Rights Campaign’s Time to Thrive conference for LGTBQ youth
Breakthrough: Elliot first became a household name after starring as a pregnant teenager in the hit 2007 movie Juno, for which he earned an Oscar nomination
Looking ahead: The actor is preparing to begin filming for the third season of Netflix hit The Umbrella Academy, and insiders have revealed he will continue to play female violinist Vanya
Abuse of power: In 2017, Elliot accused X-Men: The Last Stand director Brett Ratner of outing him on set when he was just 18
He also dated artist Samantha Thomas for 18 months, with the couple splitting just months before Elliot tied the knot with Emma.
Elliot came out publicly as gay in 2014 in an emotional speech at the Human Rights Campaign’s Time to Thrive conference for LGTBQ youth.
In the speech, the actor shared that he hoped his news would help others struggling with their sexuality, saying: ‘I’m here today because I am gay. And because maybe I can make a difference.’
Three years later, in November 2017, Elliot accused X-Men director Brett Ratner of outing him as gay on set, when the actor was just 18.
The Juno actor made the allegations in a lengthy Facebook post, in which he also revealed that he had been fondled by a director and was sexually assaulted by a crew member when he was 16.
According to Elliot, Ratner outed him during a cast and crew meet-and-greet for X-Men: The Last Stand, where he urged a woman to have sex with the actor.
‘He looked at a woman standing next to me, ten years my senior, pointed to me and said: “You should f*** her to make her realize she’s gay,”‘ Elliot claimed.
‘I was a young adult who had not yet come out to myself. I knew I was gay, but did not know, so to speak. I felt violated when this happened.’
He continued: ‘He “outed” me with no regard for my well-being, an act we all recognize as homophobic.
‘…This public, aggressive outing left me with long standing feelings of shame, one of the most destructive results of homophobia.’
However, Elliot’s decision to come out as transgender was met with a much more positive outpouring of support from dozens of A-listers, including Miley Cyrus, who wrote: ‘Elliot rules!’
Anna Paquin – who starred alongside Elliot’s ex Alexander in True Blood – also commented, writing: ‘Sending you all the love and support Elliot!
‘And just to save some time to everyone who is being hateful/transphobic/homophobic you can all f*** off. Elliot is a f***ing warrior and treasure of a human being.’
The official Umbrella Academy account also shared some kind words, commenting: ‘So proud of our superhero!! WE LOVE YOU ELLIOT!!!’
Several co-stars also left comments on the post, with actress Marin Ireland – who plays Elliot’s love interest on the show – writing: ‘I love you Elliot!’
The series’ showrunner Steve Blackman added: ‘Proud of you, Elliot. Love you!!!’
Elliot is currently due to commence filming on the third season of the hit Netflix series, and – according to Variety – he will continue to play the role of female violinist Vanya Hargreeves, one of seven siblings with extraordinary abilities who are adopted by an eccentric billionaire and turned into a crime-fighting team.
Insiders revealed to the publication that there are ‘no plans to change the character’s gender’.
In the second season of the show, Vanya falls in love with a woman, and Elliot praised the decision to explore the character’s queerness in an interview with Pride, saying: ‘…Getting to play her falling in love for the first time and the beauty of that and the joy of that and then hoping to be mindful and sensitive in terms of how to represent the other aspects and mostly, I’m just happy that a storyline like this is in a show that has the reach that it does.’
Variety also reported that Netflix is in the process of updating Elliot’s name in the metadata of already-released titles that he has been associated with that are currently available on the streaming site. An insider said that these changes are likely to be seen throughout the day on Tuesday, although as of 5PM EST they were not yet reflected on the website.
Online movie database IMDB has already updated the actor’s profile to reflect his name change, and his biography on the site now uses gender-neutral pronouns. Similarly, Elliot’s Wikipedia page was updated minutes after he released his statement in order to reflect the information within it.
Standing together: Emma commented on Elliot’s Instagram statement to once again voice her support for her spouse. The pair are pictured together in a photo shared to mark Pride 2019
Past: Before Elliot began dating his wife Emma, he was in a relationship with artist Samantha Thomas. The couple (seen in 2015) dated for around 18 months before splitting in 2017
Young love: Elliot also dated Big Little Lies star Alexander Skarsgård in 2013, after starring alongside him in drama movie The East
Family first: The Juno star (pictured with his parents at the 2008 Oscars) did not reveal how or when he came out to his family and friends, but thanked his loved ones for their support
Following the release of his statement, GLAAD also voiced its support for Elliot, with the organization’s Director of Transgender Media, Nick Adams, saying: ‘Elliot Page has given us fantastic characters on-screen, and has been an outspoken advocate for all LGBTQ people.
‘He will now be an inspiration to countless trans and non-binary people. All transgender people deserve the chance to be ourselves and to be accepted for who we are. We celebrate the remarkable Elliot Page today.’
He also hit back at the suggestion that a cisgender actor should be cast to replace Elliot in The Umbrella Academy, telling Variety: ‘Trans actors can and do play both trans and cisgender characters. I’m sure Elliot will continue to be brilliant in Umbrella Academy and many different types of roles in the future.’
Elliot has long been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ community, and he took the opportunity in his latest statement to speak out about the ‘violence’ and ‘harassment’ that so many transgender people face.
‘The statistics are staggering,’ he wrote. ‘The discrimination towards trans people is rife, insidious and cruel, resulting in horrific consequences.
‘In 2020 alone it has been reported that at least 40 transgender people have been murdered, the majority of which were Black and Latinx trans women.’
Elliot then slammed ‘political leaders’ who have tried to pass legislation that would ‘criminalize trans health care’; in June of this year, the Trump administration put an end to Obama-era protections for transgender patients against discrimination from doctors, hospitals and health insurance companies.
‘To the political leaders who work to criminalize trans health care and deny our right to exist and to all of those with a massive platform who continue to spew hostility towards the trans community: you have blood on your hands,’ Elliot wrote.
‘You unleash a fury of vile and demeaning rage that lands on the shoulders of the trans community, a community in which 40% of trans adults report attempting suicide. Enough is enough. You aren’t being “cancelled”, you are hurting people. I am one of those people and we won’t be silent in the face of your attacks.’
Process: In his statement Elliot (seen in January 2020 at one of his last public appearances) did not address whether he has, or plans to undergo hormone therapy or surgery
Star: Elliot (seen in March 2014) thanked his loved ones for their support through his journey and gave credit to the trailblazers in transgender community
Debut: The actor (pictured left in 2007 and right in 2008) made his debut in revenge thriller Hard Candy in 2005, but it was his role in indie flick Juno in 2007 that launched him to stardom
Throwback: Elliot (pictured in 1992 when he was around five years old) first began acting professionally at the age of ten, when he appeared in Canadian movie Pit Pony
Childhood: The actor (pictured as a child) continued to attend school while acting
He also spoke out to praise the trailblazers in the transgender community who have worked tirelessly to ‘make this world a more inclusive place’.
‘I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey,’ he wrote. ‘I can’t begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self.
‘I’ve been endlessly inspired by so many in the trans community. Thank you for your courage, your generosity and ceaselessly working to make this world a more inclusive and compassionate place. I will offer whatever support I can and continue to strive for a more loving and equal society.’
Elliot, who was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to mom Martha Philpotts, a teacher, and dad Dennis Page, a graphic designer, made his on-screen debut at the age of ten, after being spotted by a casting director who visited his school and chose him to star in Canadian movie Pit Pony, which then spawned a TV spin-off.
While continuing to attend local schools, including one that focused on Buddhist principles and Eastern meditation techniques, the budding star continued to act, landing several small roles in films and TV shows, many of which earned the young star critical applause and several accolades.
He then broke out from his native Canada in 2005 with the revenge thriller Hard Candy, and two years later, Elliot shot to global stardom after landing the lead role in Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody’s indie flick Juno, for which the actor received an Academy Award nomination among other accolades.
His other notable roles include Kitty Pryde in the X-Men series, Christopher Nolan’s Inception, Whip It! and Sony’s reboot of Flatliners.
He has produced and starred in films such as Tallulah and Freeheld, and last year marked his directorial debut examining environmental racism faced by people of color and the First Nations communities of Canada.
Prior to transition, Page was one of the most visible out gay actors in Hollywood; his latest announcement further enriches his legacy, and adds him to a small but growing number of trans creators and stars who have made the decision to come out publicly, including performers like Laverne Cox, Trace Lysette, and Brian Michael Smith, and creators including The Wachowski Sisters.