Elliot Page Opens Up About Disturbing Incidents Of Sexual Grooming In Hollywood
In a candid and courageous revelation, Oscar-nominated star Elliot Page, formerly known as Ellen Page, sheds light on disturbing incidents of sexual grooming he experienced as a teenager in Hollywood as he shares his harrowing encounters with a male director and a crew member, both of whom sought to exploit and manipulate him.
Elliot discloses the first incident in his new book, Pageboy, recounting an evening at a Toronto restaurant when a male director began making advances towards him. According to the book, the director covertly stroked Elliot’s thigh under the table and whispered suggestive words, urging him to initiate physical intimacy. Feeling preyed upon, the young actor describes the director’s constant texts and the books he gifted as manipulative tactics to make him feel special.
The book, in a chapter titled Leeches, also reveals a distressing encounter with a crew member on a previous movie set. Elliot explains how this crew member made overt sexual advances, engaging in inappropriate conversations and inviting the Juno star to spend time together. After a walk in the rain, the crew member made a forceful move, pressing himself against Elliot, leaving him feeling violated.
Elliot further shares another incident of sexual harassment during the filming of the 2005 movie Hard Candy when a crew member, who has since become a director, made unwanted advances. The crew member reportedly intruded into the trans actor’s apartment, placing his hands on Elliot’s shoulders and attempting to engage in non-consensual sexual acts.
Elliot’s memoir also delves into his personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance. He discusses his struggles with his sexuality, detailing failed attempts to engage in sexual relationships as a teenager. These experiences, the X-Men actor shares, led to confusion and a sense of pressure to conform to societal expectations.
The book also reveals Elliot’s secret romantic relationships with co-stars Olivia Thirlby and Kate Mara. It describes his attraction to Olivia during the filming of Juno, confessing to a passionate fling that helped alleviate his shame and insecurity.
He also recounts a relationship with Kate while they worked together on X-Men: Days of Future Past, highlighting the complexities of falling for someone who isn’t fully available.
In addition to his personal revelations, Page sheds light on the challenges faced by transgender individuals in the entertainment industry. He recounts feeling out of place while filming Inception and experiencing stress-induced shingles, which he believes were manifestations of the pressure he felt as a transgender person in a predominantly cisgender cast.
