Elliot Page shares his happiness after transition 'life hack' as he recalls his struggle with identity

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Elliot Page's reality was constricting, and not quite right until December 2020, when he bravely stepped into the light as a transgender man, shedding the weight of an identity that wasn’t his own.

The journey was anything but easy. Thirteen years after skyrocketing to fame with the indie sensation 'Juno', Page found himself grappling with a profound sense of misery as revealed in a candid conversation with Them.

Elliot Page on the joy of embracing his true self as a trans man

Page disclosed the stark contrast between his past and present, saying, “Sometimes I’m like, ‘Oh my God, being trans is such a life hack,’ because before, I was so miserable. And now you're like, ‘What? This is great. I don’t mind. This is kind of cool.’ Like, what?”

Now, embracing his true self, he recounted a recent thrill of attending a Cardi B concert, where he fully reveled in the experience.

"I’m this 37-year-old dude in a stadium, jumping up and down and screaming, and it felt so nice to be like, ‘Here I am,’" he shared, highlighting the euphoria of finally being comfortable in his own skin.

Page then expressed this gratitude, saying, "Community and trans people who have led the way in creating a world where I can actually exist - I wouldn’t be here without those things. I think I probably would’ve faded away."

He then shared the overwhelming unease he experienced before publicly coming out as trans, mentioning, "It almost became this thing that I knew, and I just kept [thinking] that I’ll figure out a way to get around it," he explained, revealing the immense pressure of managing his identity while being in the public eye.

The actor described, "The dysphoria was so bad, and I would constantly verbalize and think about it, but I still somehow managed to convince myself like, no, no, no," he said. The relentless pace of life and the demands of his acting career often left little room for introspection.

"For so many people, life keeps going. People don’t get opportunities to necessarily stop and figure out how they actually feel."

In October, he opened up further about his transition journey on Jay Shetty’s 'On Purpose' podcast, sharing the various emotions that accompanied his transformation.

Elliot Pages' transition ever since 'The Umbrella Academy'

Before he embraced his true self, life often felt like an uphill battle as 'Ellen' - a constant urge to flee from the person he was expected to be.

In his newly published memoir, 'Pageboy,' Page pulled back the curtain on the deep struggles he faced before coming out.

Speaking with raw honesty, he also shared just how difficult it was to simply "exist" before transitioning, per Daily Mail.

According to him, the sense of entrapment was overwhelming, making each day a challenge to endure. But now, having stepped into his authentic self, he described a profound shift.

During the podcast, he also revealed the transformative power of his transition, expressing that he finally "feels free" - a freedom he once thought was out of reach. "It’s been a gamechanger," he admitted, reflecting on the contrast between his past and present. 

"For significant periods of my life I struggled to function on a pretty basic level, it was hard for me to literally sit down, it was hard for me to be productive, for me to be present at all," Page said.

"I couldn't see the future because I didn't know how much longer I would last feeling that way."

'The Umbrella Academy' star expressed that he found it impossible to continue living life while looking towards the future in that way. 

He added that he even considered how he could keep working, sharing that he called his manager to lament about the struggle of continuing to live a lie.

Elliot Page expresses 'gender euphoria' in everyday activities

Page's life has undergone a profound transformation - no longer burdened by the struggle to simply exist, he now fully immerses himself in each moment.

In the recent podcast, the 'Juno' actor opened up about how his days have become filled with gratitude, experiencing what he calls "gender euphoria" even in the simplest of activities, like sipping a cup of coffee.

Reflecting on his journey, Page shared that he always knew he was trans from a young age, but it wasn't until he connected with the trans community that he truly began to feel free.

He mentioned that the sense of belonging and support was a key factor in his "newfound happiness."

Page also spoke about the impact of his memoir, 'Pageboy,' which has resonated with many, helping them "feel less alone, carry less shame, and talk to their parents in a better way." His story has become a beacon of hope and understanding for those navigating similar paths.

As the podcast drew to a close, Page offered heartfelt advice to parents of children who are considering transitioning.

He encouraged them to "create gentleness and support change," emphasizing the importance of nurturing environments for their children’s growth and well-being.

Page has been open about the intense depression and anxiety he battled before coming out as transgender, recalling the "severe panic attacks" he would experience when pressured to wear dresses to public events.

Now, having embraced his true self, he is living a life that is authentically his own, filled with joy, freedom, and a deep sense of purpose. Elliot Page stars as Viktor Hargreeves in the fourth and final season of 'The Umbrella Academy,' which premiered on Netflix on August 8, 2024.

This season marks a significant conclusion for Page's character, who has undergone considerable development throughout the series.