Entertainment

‘Literally Did Almost Kill Me’: Elliot Page Discusses Wearing Dress To ‘Juno’ Premiere Before Coming Out As Trans

   DailyWire.com
Elliot Page
Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Elliot Page, who became famous after starring in the 2007 teen drama “Juno” while still named Ellen Page, discussed feelings of “intense” depression and anxiety before coming out as a transgender man in 2020.

One of these incidents stems from the “Juno” premiere when producers insisted Page should wear a dress. The actor discussed feeling very uncomfortable with the situation during a recent Esquire interview.

“When Juno was at the height of its popularity, during awards-season time, I was closeted, dressed in heels and the whole look – I wasn’t OK, and I didn’t know how to talk about that with anyone,” Page told the publication. 

“I wish people would understand that that s*** literally did almost kill me. In my early to mid-20s, I didn’t know how to tell people how unwell I was. I would berate myself for it. I was living the life and my dreams were coming true, and all that was happening. I struggled with food, intense depression, anxiety, and severe panic attacks.”

The “Umbrella Academy” alum was not happy wearing a dress to the Los Angeles premiere while wanting to wear a suit instead. 

Page related how numerous people have apologized after the dress incident, especially after Page came out as transgender. The “Juno” alum described being forced to wear a dress as “extremely f***ed up” and “gross.”

Page also discussed suicidal ideation during the interview.

“Can I relate to the suicide problem among trans people? Yeah, I can relate deeply. And not only to the very conscious, direct act of doing it but also certain times when I lost so much weight or when I was having such severe panic attacks and collapsed multiple times – all these things that very easily could, and statistically do, lead to death,” Page said.

“There were moments of wanting to not be here… I would look out the window of my apartment and think, “With everything going on right now and how incredible it all is, this is how I feel? And I’m 22?” It was like, I don’t know if I could do it.”

Page described feelings of intense anxiety and fear of leaving the house. Now, the Hollywood star says, everything is different.

“I know I look different to others, but to me I’m just starting to look like myself. It’s indescribable,” Page said of transitioning. 

“The greatest joy is just being able to feel present, literally, just to be present. To go out in a group of new people and be able to engage in a way where I didn’t feel this constant sensation to flee from my body, this never-ending sensation of anxiety and nervousness and wanting out.”

“I thought it was impossible how I’m able to feel now … I could not picture myself as a woman aging,” Page continued. “Obviously. It was just like, what is my future? There’s not a future. That’s kind of what it felt like. I would say, verbatim: I’ve never been a girl. I’ll never be a woman.”

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The Daily Wire   >  Read   >  ‘Literally Did Almost Kill Me’: Elliot Page Discusses Wearing Dress To ‘Juno’ Premiere Before Coming Out As Trans