Elliot Page says ‘healthy masculinity’ means resisting urge to shut down

Actor Elliot Page said Thursday that “healthy masculinity” means pushing back against the impulse to emotionally close off — remarks made during a wide-ranging appearance on the “It’s Open with Ilana Glazer” podcast.

Mr. Page, 39, who came out as transgender in 2020 and uses he/they pronouns, was asked about the concept of healthy masculinity as both a public figure and someone on what he described as a “gender journey.”

“Healthy masculinity, to me, is or even just something I’ve felt as, like, transitioning, is like leaning away from whenever there is some sort of impulse or expectation you’ve put on yourself to, like, shut down,” Mr. Page said. “Or conform in a way that usually feels like ’this,’ like I am closing off.”

Mr. Page said his own transition prompted a change in how he presents himself, including in photographs. He recalled catching himself beginning to suppress expressive behaviors — talking with his hands, smiling in pictures — before rejecting the impulse.

“And I’m, like, having that moment where I’m, like, ’Oh, should I also not? Should I also be closed off? It’s just like, what the f—-, Elliot?’ What are you talking about? Like, oh, honey, you’re part of the problem,” he said.

Mr. Page also pointed to a more basic dimension of healthy masculinity: self-care. He said it should include getting adequate rest, staying hydrated and making a genuine effort to “love themselves.”

“I think … healthy masculinity could just mean a really good cry,” he added.

The podcast appearance coincided with Mr. Page’s promotional work for “Second Nature,” a documentary he narrated and executive-produced that examines same-sex behavior across more than 1,500 animal species.

Mr. Page was previously nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award for his role in the 2007 film “Juno” and is also known for work in “Inception” and the “X-Men” franchise. He is set to appear in Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.”