Elliot Page has set tongues wagging with bold confessions from his 2023 memoir, Pageboy. The 38-year-old actor, who skyrocketed to fame in the 2007 teen classic Juno, recently shared intimate details about his romantic entanglements during the film’s production. While promoting the book, Page revealed he was “having sex all the time” with a co-star, sending shockwaves through fans and media alike. The memoir dives deep into his personal journey, touching on his transgender identity, mental health, and experiences in Hollywood’s spotlight.
In Pageboy, Page doesn’t hold back, offering a raw exploration of his relationship with his body and the complexities of love. The book, released in June 2023, has been praised for its honesty, with Page reflecting on how memoirs by others inspired him to share his story. “I didn’t think I could write a book,” he told People in an interview, admitting nerves about its release. He felt compelled to speak out amid rising misinformation about LGBTQ+ lives, making his story both timely and deeply personal.
One of the memoir’s juiciest revelations centers on Page’s fling with Juno co-star Olivia Thirlby. According to an excerpt published in The Daily Beast, Page was instantly smitten when he met Thirlby, then 39, on set. Their chemistry ignited in her hotel room, with Billie Holiday’s music setting the mood. Thirlby’s bold confession—“I’m really attracted to you”—sparked an immediate response from Page, who reciprocated her feelings.
What followed was a whirlwind of passion. Page writes that they “started sucking face” and soon couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Their encounters weren’t confined to private spaces; they hooked up in hotel rooms, trailers on the Juno set, and even a secluded restaurant room. The intensity of their connection left a lasting mark on Page, who describes it as a defining moment in his personal and professional life.
Page’s role in Juno, playing a pregnant teenager, was a turning point for him. He notes in the memoir that the role offered a rare sense of autonomy on set. Wearing a fake belly, he felt free from the hyperfeminized expectations often imposed on actors. For Page, the film symbolized a space beyond the gender binary, aligning with his evolving sense of self. This backdrop of personal liberation amplified the significance of his affair with Thirlby.
But Thirlby wasn’t the only Hollywood romance Page disclosed. He also revealed a past affair with actress Kate Mara, which unfolded shortly after he came out as gay in 2014. At the time, Mara was dating The Handmaid’s Tale star Max Minghella, adding a layer of complexity to their connection. Page describes the relationship as a period of “exploration and heartbreak,” reflecting a pattern of falling for those who weren’t fully available.
The affair with Mara, detailed in Pageboy, captures the emotional turbulence of Page’s journey. “It very much encapsulates a certain dynamic,” he writes, hinting at the recurring pull toward complicated relationships. His candor about these experiences sheds light on the challenges of navigating love and identity under Hollywood’s glare, especially as a public figure coming to terms with his queerness.
Page’s openness about his transition—he publicly came out as transgender in 2020—adds depth to these revelations. His memoir doesn’t shy away from the struggles of self-acceptance, mental health, and the impact of fame. By sharing stories of assault, love, and sex, Page invites readers into his world, offering a lens on the intersection of personal truth and public perception.
The buzz around Pageboy has only grown since its release, with fans and critics dissecting its intimate anecdotes. Social media posts on platforms like X highlight the public’s fascination, with some praising Page’s vulnerability and others debating the ethics of revealing past relationships. The memoir’s unfiltered take on Hollywood’s inner workings has made it a cultural touchstone.
For Page, writing Pageboy was both a cathartic and daunting endeavor. He told People that the process was humbling, inspired by other memoirs that offered him comfort and clarity. The book’s release came at a time when he felt the need to counter lies about LGBTQ+ lives, particularly around healthcare and rights. His story resonates as a bold stand against hate and misinformation.
Ultimately, Elliot Page’s memoir is more than a tell-all—it’s a testament to resilience and authenticity. From steamy flings with co-stars like Olivia Thirlby and Kate Mara to his journey as a trans icon, Page’s story captivates and challenges. As he continues to navigate fame and identity, Pageboy cements his voice as one of courage, unapologetically carving space for truth in a world that often demands silence.