If anyone understands what Ellen Page is going through these days, it’s Ellen DeGeneres. The comedian, now 56, came out as gay in a groundbreaking Time Magazine cover story in 1997 after years of rumors. Almost 17 years later, Page, 27, chose to come out in an emotional speech for the Human Rights Campaign’s Time to THRIVE Conference in February 2014.
In a touching interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which will air on May 27, the X-Men: Days of Future Past actress opened up about the nerve-wracking speech she gave and spoke with DeGeneres about her own experience with coming out.
“[It was] the most nervous I’ve ever been in my life,” Page admitted. “My biggest fear of doing it was even just having a panic attack. I was just so ready to do and quite frankly so excited to do it. It was a combination of such thrill to finally be at a place in my life where I was able to do that.”
The Juno star also thanked DeGeneres for her own contribution to the coming out process.
“[I am] grateful to have that moment and grateful to you because you did it in a time when it was much harder and much scarier,” she said, acknowledging DeGeneres’ bold choice in 1997.
Since coming out, Page said she feels like a great weight has been lifted.
“I knew I would be a happier person, and I knew that I was going to feel better,” she continued. “I did not anticipate just how happy I would feel in every aspect of my life, just an ease and a comfort. It was pretty much overnight.”