We Asked Ellen Page: What Advice Would You Give Your 18-Year-Old Self?
Ellen Page first stole our hearts in the indie classic Juno. The film earned her an Oscar nomination and led to buzzy roles in movies like the X-Men series, Inception, and Whip It. But outside of her acting, Page is also rightfully celebrated for her fierce commitment to LGBTQ+ activism and awareness.
Page first came out on Valentine's Day in 2014, during a speech at the Human Rights Campaign's "Time to Thrive" conference in Las Vegas. Since, she's hosted Gaycation, a documentary series exploring the lives of marginalized LGBTQ+ people in countries where homosexuality is banned, and has worked with the Astraea Lesbian Foundation. Lately, Page has been in the headlines for alleging a church Chris Pratt attends is "infamously anti lgbtq" on Twitter. She also wrote an essay for The Hollywood Reporter about hate violence in response to the current conversation around Jussie Smollett.
Now, Page is starring in Netflix's The Umbrella Academy, which is currently streaming. She plays Vanya Hargreeves, the only sibling in a clan of superheroes not to have supernatural abilities.
Below, Page answers Glamour's "The Big Questions."
What is your full name, and where does it come from?
My name is Ellen Grace Page. My mom liked the name Ellen, and Grace is for my dad's aunt.
What’s your idea of true happiness?
Going on a hike in the middle of the woods with my wife and my dog. That’s when I’m like, "Oh my god, it’s too much; it’s so beautiful."
What’s your idea of hell on Earth?
Probably a lot of things that are happening now, like environmental degradation, oppression and violence towards marginalized people.
If you could be anyone, real or fictional, who would you be?
Naomi Klein, who’s such an extraordinary writer and has written book after book that has inspired since I was a teenager, like No Logo and The Shock Doctrine. I’ve learned so much from her and admire her courage and bravery.
What’s a headline you’d love to read about yourself?
"Ellen Page Gets 3 New Puppies."
If you were on a dating app, what would your opening line be?
"My dog is super cute. It's worth putting up with me for this little guy."
When the zombie apocalypse comes, what skill will you contribute you to the new society?
A snack. If you’re in a lot of trouble, and you’re really starving, I’ll be your snack. That’s all I can do.
What’s your most irrational fear?
Walking over a grate on the sidewalk. I don’t know how people do it.
What chapter of your life would be the most fascinating to read?
My shift from not being known, to being known, and years after that being closeted and dealing with it in this industry.
Would you rather be able to stop time or speed it up?
Speed it up, because when you have food poisoning on an eight-hour flight, you could speed up time.
How do you stand up for what you believe in?
By sharing information and trying to create channels for more representation for more people, particularly members of the LGBTQ+ community. Like show I made with Vice called Gaycation, which is about LGBTQ+ communities around the world.
You’re stuck on a desert island and can bring only three things. What are they?
My wife, my dog, and a fire starter.
You have to give up sex, booze, or laughter. Pick one.
Booze. Oh, that’s easy.
“Never have I ever...”
Bungee-jumped.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Just keep being you. Don’t believe the stuff people tell you that you need to do in order to have a career, or have a happy life. I’d be supporting my 18-year-old self navigating her world, her sexuality, and embarking into this industry.
