The Elliot Effect: Elliot Page Continues to Rise as a Star and Shines a Light on LGBTQ+ Representation in the Media

 

Elliot Page (Photo Credit: Nytimes.com)

A Page Turning Story

For readers who are avid film fanatics of the media world, today's post features another talented artist who is no stranger to the silver screen. Allow us to introduce you to the one and only superstar, Elliot Page. At just thirty-four years old, the Canadian actor and producer has been making a name for himself in the entertainment industry since an early age. It was like a star that became brighter and brighter, and the whole world got to witness it. Fans of Page may remember his notable film roles in big name pictures such as Inception (2010) and the starring lead in Diablo Cody's comedy classic, Juno (2007). I for one, will never forget the first time that I saw Page light up across the screen and, quite frankly, I do not believe the rest of the world did either. All those many years ago, Page was doing something unlike any other artist out there who was breaking out onto the "indie" scene. On screen, Page brought a certain kind of energy that not just any actor in the business can so easily bring to life in front of the camera. The more movies that Page turned up in, the more it seemed that the media was setting their focus more sharply on a star that was rising not only by the second, but with every screen he was shining through. 

What the world did not know, however, was that Page was soon to do something extra special that might have otherwise been the complete opposite of what "show business" expects from its hired talent. And that special thing for the shining star Page, was becoming his most authentic self. As readers of this blog might have come to understand from previous posts, it is that any LGBTQ+ artist (regardless of their chosen media) faces an uphill battle to be true to themselves and struggles to find a middle ground to self-expression. So when Elliot came out to the public as gay in 2014, it is not hard to imagine the amount of pressure that one can be weighted down by when faced with the choice to follow through with something so vulnerable, let alone brave. Yet, the world seemed willing and ready to embrace and show support for their favorite figure of the media with open arms. It also seemed that the X-Men star was able to offer another representational figure that many fans of the X-Men franchise and countless other films that Page has been a part of, someone that they could look up to. However, what the world did not know just then and perhaps could not have ever anticipated from Page's already open truth, what that there was still another page in the artist's story that had yet to be turned. 

Elliot Page (Photo Credit: Theguardian.com)

The Rest is Still Unwritten

For a world who thought that they knew everything they could about the talented artist who has been in the media spotlight for over a decade, it would not be until late of last year in 2020 when Elliot would reveal to the world his most authentic truth to come; that he identifies as transgender. This was an announcement that would later come to raise the level of awareness that the media has for transgendered artists in the entertainment industry. It would also mean that, yes, more representation would be further gifted to the LGBTQ+ community. What is also important to consider is that, although we may think we understand or know our favorite figures in the spotlight, there may be more to the story than meets the eye. What is more, is that our society may need to shape itself more to the idea that the idea of coming out must always be on the artist's terms and never the other way around. I say this because Page himself has faced such challenges. In 2005, it was alleged that Page had been outed by a filmmaker, taking away his ability to leave private matters private until he was ready to make them public. It is also important to consider that while some LGBTQ+ artists are praised for their bravery to come out, not everyone in the media has the same shared experience. A sign that, perhaps, the entertainment business and maybe even our society is hopefully turning around to avoid such inappropriate behavior in the future. 

Elliot Page (Photo Credit: Glaad.org)

And despite some of these obstacles, Page has remained a strong force that remains to be unstoppable. The bravery to be one's self (especially in front of millions of people in the media) is not only courageous, but ultimately heroic. And thankfully, despite some of the naysayers who came forward after Page's coming out announcement, a majority of the world was still ready to be just as accepting as his first coming out experience, and possibly, just as more than ever before. I would also like to point out that you will notice that I have selected only a few photographs from online to share on our feature of Page. This was intentional as a means to stay respectful of any other images that exist prior to Page announcing that he is transgender. Perhaps just like you, I am equally as proud of who Elliot Page is and all of his incredible work that he has established under his belt of wide ranging talent. I look forward to seeing where his career takes him next and feel most certain that the alleviating comfort in getting to be more openly himself will carry his career to both new and extraordinary heights on the horizon. What is more, is that this only means that others who become more familiar with Page and his star screening power, will get to also capture a glimpse of themselves and their representational potential. With a world constantly changing and taking unexpected turns, Page remains to be an artist turned hero that promises to keep being himself -something the world can appreciate both on and off the screen.  

Thank you for your time. See you in the next post!

*None of these images or videos belong to me and were found on Google.