In his memoir, Elliot Page opens up about the intensity of his connection with Olivia Thirlby during the filming of Juno. He describes her as “sexually open, far removed from where I was at the time. But the chemistry was palpable, it pulled me in.”
Page goes on to share candid details of their intimate encounters, including a passionate kiss in a hotel room where Olivia reportedly confessed she was “really attracted” to him—a feeling he reciprocated fully. Reflecting on the experience, he writes, “It was on. I had an all-encompassing desire for her; she made me want in a way that was new, hopeful.” Page even recalls that it was one of the first times someone had brought him to orgasm.
Their encounters were not confined to a single location. Elliot notes that their intimacy occurred frequently throughout the production of Juno, in a variety of spaces: “Her hotel room, in our trailers at work, once in a tiny, private room in a restaurant…”
He reflects on the personal significance of their relationship, writing, “We thought we were being subtle. Being intimate with Olivia helped my shame dissipate. I didn’t see a glint of it in her eyes, and I wanted that—done feeling wretched about who I am.”
Through these reflections, Page conveys how his connection with Thirlby was both intensely physical and deeply transformative, helping him navigate feelings of self-acceptance and desire during a pivotal time in his life.
Elliot and Olivia starred in hit film Juno together
Around the same period that Juno was filmed, both Elliot Page and Olivia Thirlby were originally cast as the leads in Jack & Diane, a film centered on the romance between two young women. However, before production began, both actors ultimately departed the project, and their roles were recast.
Olivia Thirlby, who publicly came out as bisexual in 2011, went on to marry Jacques Pienaar in 2014. The couple later filed for divorce in 2021.
Elliot Page’s recent revelations follow earlier disclosures about another private relationship, this one with actress Kate Mara. The two became involved during filming of X-Men: Days of Future Past. In his memoir Pageboy, Page recounted that Kate, who was dating Max Minghella at the time, was “in love with two people,” providing context to their complicated dynamic.
