Elliot Page, who is known for his roles in Inception and The Umbrella Academy, has recently published a memoir called Pageboy that details his experience in the entertainment industry as a trans man.
The book reveals that Page was once offered a role to play a mid-nineteenth-century woman, but turned it down due to the thought of wearing elaborate feminine costumes that made him feel uncomfortable and disgusted.
Page revealed that even before his transition, he had to wear a mask to hide the anxiety on his face during award shows when he had to wear feminine clothing.
He then narrated how the thought of wearing a woman’s costume from the mid-nineteenth century made him feel like he wanted to kill himself.
He felt that it would be torture to continue with the role and declined politely, but faced brutal judgment from others who deemed him a diva.
This wasn’t the only time that Page felt out of place in the industry.
During the filming of Inception, he often felt like an imposter among the cast full of cis men.
He even joked that he would be recast with Keira Knightley.
Page further revealed that he felt out of place during press events and premieres, which often led to panic attacks.
After one premiere, he even collapsed at the after-party.
Page also elaborated on how the vast number of cishet men in the cast and crew made him feel like he did not belong in the team.
He developed shingles while filming Inception because of the high levels of stress he experienced.
Despite these challenges, Leonardo DiCaprio’s offer to take Page on a double date with his mother helped to make things better.
In his memoir, Page expresses gratitude for the progress he has made since then.
He is now out as a trans man and has undergone gender-affirming surgery.
His book is now available for people to read, giving readers a glimpse into the challenges of being a trans person in the entertainment industry.
