Months after Ellen Page announced she is gay in a beautiful speech at the Human Rights Campaign's Time to Thrive conference, the actress sat down with daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres in what we can only describe as one of the most touching moments we've seen on television.
The two actresses discussed what it was like to come out in Hollywood, with DeGeneres telling Page that she felt similarly when she came out in 1997. "I know how scary that is," DeGeneres said after replaying a clip from Page's speech. "I can see you're emotional just watching that. I was like that for a couple years after I came out. It's a scary thing to verbalize, to say it out loud."
Page said it was the scariest thing she's done in her life but was "so ready" and "so excited" to do it.
"I'm so grateful to you," Page said to DeGeneres, "because you did it in a time when it was much harder and much scarier."
DeGeneres came out publicly in an interview with Oprah in 1997. Soon after, her character on her sitcom Ellen subsequently came out to a therapist played by Oprah on the show. At the time, some advertisers decided not to buy time on the episode titled, "The Puppy Episode." The sitcom was canceled in 1998.
"I know what that's like when you're on a show and you just feel like you're waiting for someone to go, 'You're gay! I know you are!'" DeGeneres said.
"Yes! It's just so nice to go to work and have a conversation about an ex...wear what you want...to feel like you're being yourself," Page said.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
-
'Baby Reindeer' Is Netflix's Latest Viral Hit—Will It Get a Season 2?
The miniseries from Richard Gadd has a very definite ending.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
The Best Unisex Perfumes Were Made to Be Shared
Yours, mine, and ours.
By Sophia Vilensky Published
-
The Spice Girls’ Mini-Reunion at Victoria Beckham’s 50th Birthday Party Is a Precursor for a Forthcoming Tour, Sources Say
“I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want”...is this to be true.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton Published
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
By Mehera Bonner Published
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
By The Editors Published
-
Who Is Next in Line for the British Throne, Explained
And yes—Harry and Archie are still in the line of succession.
By Andrea Park Published
-
Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Fiancé Riley Roberts?
AOC's husband-to-be is an "easygoing redhead" who lives with her in D.C.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
68 Times the Kardashians Posed Fully Nude and Owned It
And we mean fully nude—as in, not a shred of clothing.
By Bianca Rodriguez Published
-
Who Is Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles's Fiancé and NFL Player?
"The easiest yes!" Simone wrote about the couple's engagement.
By The Editors Published