Don’t try and put Ellen Page in a box — especially a gay box.
The Oscar-nominated star of Juno, Hard Candy and the Sundance hit Tallulah, has some challenging words for the Hollywood double-standard she perceives for gay actors who take on gay roles.
“Zachary Quinto is out, and he stars in one of the biggest blockbuster franchises,” the 28-year-old said, referring to the Star Trek films. “I have four projects coming up – all gay roles. People ask if I’m concerned about getting pigeonholed. No one asks: ‘Ellen, you’ve done seven straight roles in a row – shouldn’t you shake it up and do something queer?’”
“There’s still that double standard. I look at all the things I’ve done in movies: I’ve drugged a guy, tortured someone, become a roller-derby star overnight. But now I’m gay, I can’t play a straight person?”
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Her comments come after a six-year struggle to get Freeheld made, an experience that included coming out publicly herself.
“What blows my mind is how my own personal journey paralleled the development of that movie. It felt wildly inappropriate to be playing this character as a closeted person.”
The reviews of the film have not been kind, which screenwriter Ron Nysawner said was a result of producers “de-gaying” the film, resulting in “cardboard characters and by-the-numbers drama.”
Below, catch a preview for one of Ellen’s upcoming projects — Gaycation — in which she explores LGBTQ cultures around the world:
https://youtu.be/fToW-5r07qg?rel=0&showinfo=0
Brian
Oh, Ellen, stop complaining!! All the roles you’ve done have been by choice. Yep, choice. You chose to do them. Stop complaining about the whole thing, sis.
I just get so annoyed by women who complain about the state of the world when they are the ones who made the choices which helped to create that state.
dcrtx
@Brian: Oh sweetie. Have you never had to make a difficult decision? Been between a rock and a hard place? Had to do something you didn’t want to do because of external pressures? Or, have you lived a worry-free life of blaming women for problems that are larger than them?
Brian
Ah, yes, life is so difficult as a woman. One gets to wear trousers or dresses without anybody questioning one’s gender. As an actress, one chooses roles, gets paid well for it, and then complains about the system. Ah, yes, life is so difficult as a woman….
Kangol
Whatever, if that’s what you tell yourself.
1EqualityUSA
Brian, you weak, your mind is weak, and the thoughts you produce are weak. Man up!
Masc Pride
Why does she think we care about alllllllll her thoughts/complaints now? She’s become a little obnoxious since coming out. Buy a diary, Ellen.
Stached1
Calling her an “actress” is a stretch. She can’t act her way out of a paper bag.
Captain Obvious
Silly lesbian Anna Kendrick should be glad she has a career at all. Basic looks(way better than fugly Kendrick at least) and ho-hum attitude. She looks like a tiny librarian or Velma from Scooby Doo which are basically the same thing.
Scribe38
I love her so much. It’s nice to be in a place where you can do good for the community. I love that she no longer hides her queer and wraps herself around the rainbow flag. As long as she makes films, I will keep buying tickets. I’m sure her being out and public helps more people than those complaining on this blog about her.