The actor, who starred in the movie at age 20, opens up about the homophobic line he wishes he had challenged.
Elliot Page has shared his regret over a homophobic joke that made its way into the 2007 film Juno, which became a cultural phenomenon and went on to win an Academy Award.
At the time, Page, now 37, was just 20 years old, portraying the witty and rebellious Juno MacGuff, a high schooler navigating an unplanned pregnancy with her shy best friend, Paulie Bleeker (played by Michael Cera). The film follows Juno as she decides to give her baby up for adoption, leading her to the quirky couple Mark and Vanessa Loring, played by Jason Bateman and Jennifer Garner.
While Juno was widely praised for its humor and emotional depth, one moment has since left Page with lingering unease. In a scene where Juno and Mark bond over their shared love of music, the two casually discuss potential baby names. When Mark suggests “Madison,” Juno quips, “Isn’t that a little gay?”
Speaking to Bustle in a 2017 interview—years before he publicly came out as transgender in 2020—Page admitted that the comment didn’t fully register with him at the time.
“It wasn’t something I totally registered at the time,” he shared. “Now that I’m older, I do. So many movies I loved as a kid are just rampant with homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia, and I’m not excusing it by any means.”
The actor, now an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, explained that with more life experience, he better understands the weight of such language and its potential harm.
When given the opportunity to revisit the script for a Planned Parenthood event, Page made it clear that he wouldn’t repeat the line. This decision was part of his broader effort to confront the biases embedded in popular media and to promote more thoughtful representation moving forward.
Growing as an Advocate
Since coming out as transgender, Page has used his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood and beyond. His personal journey was even woven into the Netflix hit The Umbrella Academy, in which his character, Viktor Hargreeves, transitions in the show’s storyline.
Page credits showrunner Steve Blackman for his strong support. “I called him nervously, and he was incredible,” Page told Time Magazine. “If anything, he was the one who was very insistent on immediately having it be a part of the show.”
Reflecting on the industry’s shortcomings, Page has spoken about the persistent lack of representation for trans individuals in Hollywood. But as an advocate and activist, he remains hopeful for change.
“Hope for me is for those who continuously resist and support each other,” he told Time.
Embracing His True Self
Page announced his transition in a heartfelt Instagram post, sharing how it felt to finally embrace his identity. Looking back, he described the overwhelming sense of freedom and joy that came with being able to fully love and accept himself.
“I felt utterly elated and beyond grateful to finally be in a place where I could love myself,” Page said.
As both an artist and an advocate, Elliot Page continues to use his voice to inspire others, promoting a future where compassion and understanding take center stage in storytelling and beyond.