Elliot Page Explains Why He Came Out as Trans in New Oprah Interview

Elliot Page is opening up even more about what life has been like since he transitioned and what led him to his decision.

In an exclusive clip from Page's upcoming interview with Oprah Winfrey, shared by Vanity Fair, Page tells the mogul why he had to come out. This is Page's first video interview since coming out. In the clip, Winfrey asks Page if there was a specific moment he realized he needed to come out as trans.

"For me, I think in this time we're in right now, and especially with this horrible backlash we're seeing towards trans people, and particularly trans youth, it really felt imperative to do so," they said. But the Umbrella Academy star also had more selfish reasons, especially after living so long in the public eye as a closeted person.

"The experience I had closeted so long, you know, I came out as gay right before my 27th birthday, and up until then I had pretty much never touched someone outside who I was in love with, you know," he said to Winfrey. "And so I think any kind of sensation of feeling that again, there was just no way I could do it."

"It felt important and selfish for myself and my own wellbeing, and my mental health," they added. "And also with this platform I have, the privilege that I have, and knowing the pain and the difficulties and struggles I faced in my life, let alone what so many other people are facing, it absolutely felt crucial and important for me to share that."

Vanity Fair also published an interview with Page by Thomas Page McBee, the first interview Page has done with a trans journalist. In it, the two bond over their experiences, talking about how they knew they were trans as children. "I knew I was a boy when I was a toddler," Page said. "I was writing fake love letters and signing them 'Jason.'"

Page also talked about how coming out has freed him artistically and creatively. "One of my best friends and I wrote our first screenplay," he told the magazine. "And I'm developing something else now, and I made some music with a friend."

He said that coming out lifted a massive weight off his shoulders. "I think of all the energy and time that was going towards feeling uncomfortable, constantly checking my body, just feeling unwell. And I've got a new ability to explore creatively and write, and just how much I'm reading--that's been really amazing."

Since coming out as toward the end of last year, Page has appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, becoming the first trans masculine person to do so, and has repeatedly spoken out against the slate of anti-trans bills being introduced across the United States. The bills range from banning trans youth from participating in sports, to bathroom bills, to bills banning trans-related healthcare for minors.

Page's entire interview with Winfrey on The Oprah Conversation will debut on Friday on Apple TV+.

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