In 2007, everyone was obsessed with Juno. It was that quirky, orange-filtered indie darling that made "homeskillet" a thing and catapulted its cast into the stratosphere. On screen, the vibe between Juno MacGuff and her best friend Leah was pure, platonic gold. They were the ultimate ride-or-die duo. But behind the scenes? Honestly, it was a whole different story.
For years, fans just assumed Elliot Page (then known as Ellen) and Olivia Thirlby were just really good at acting like best friends. It turns out the chemistry we saw on screen wasn't just talented craft—it was fueled by a secret, "all-encompassing" physical relationship that stayed buried for over fifteen years. When Elliot finally dropped the details in his 2023 memoir, Pageboy, it didn't just trend; it completely recontextualized how we look at that movie.
The Secret Chemistry Most People Missed
Looking back at Juno now feels a bit like watching a home movie with a secret code. Elliot writes about being "taken aback" the moment he first saw Olivia. Even though they were both 20 at the time, he describes her as appearing way more centered and capable. Basically, she had an energy that he was drawn to because he was still struggling so hard with his own identity and a deep-seated sense of shame.
The breakthrough didn't happen on set during a take. It happened in a hotel room. Olivia apparently looked at him and said, point-blank, "I’m really attracted to you."
✨ Don't miss: Whitney Houston Wedding Dress: Why This 1992 Look Still Matters
That was it. The floodgates opened.
What followed was what Elliot describes as having sex "all the time." We’re not just talking about hotel rooms. It was trailers. It was tiny private rooms in restaurants. They thought they were being subtle. They weren't. But in the mid-2000s, the "best friend" narrative was a perfect cover.
Why This Matters for Hollywood History
This wasn't just a fun onset fling. For Elliot, the connection with Olivia was a massive part of his personal evolution. At a time when the industry was telling him he had to look and act like a "traditional" starlet, his time with Olivia was one of the few places he felt a modicum of autonomy.
🔗 Read more: Finding the Perfect Donny Osmond Birthday Card: What Fans Often Get Wrong
He credits that intimacy with helping his shame "dissipate." When you’re living in a world that feels like a performance, finding someone who sees you—really sees you—is everything. Olivia had already come out as bisexual privately (she’d go public with it in 2011), and that openness was a magnet for Elliot.
- The "Juno" Effect: The film's success actually made things harder for Elliot. He was being pushed into dresses and heels for red carpets while privately exploring a queer identity that the studio system wasn't ready to handle.
- The Thirlby Factor: Olivia represented a version of freedom. She wasn't "wretched" about who she was, and Elliot wanted that for himself.
Where They Are in 2026
Fast forward to today, and both have carved out very different, very specific niches. Elliot has become a titan of trans advocacy and a powerhouse producer. His company, PageBoy Productions, is currently rolling out projects like Slo Pitch, a queer softball mockumentary hitting Crave this year. He’s shifted from being the person the industry "manages" to the one calling the shots.
Olivia Thirlby has stayed a bit more low-key but remains a heavy hitter in the indie and prestige world. You probably caught her in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer a few years back. Right now, she’s gearing up for the release of Archangel in late 2026, starring alongside Jim Caviezel.
💡 You might also like: Martha Stewart Young Modeling: What Most People Get Wrong
They aren't "together" anymore, of course. Olivia married Jacques Pienaar back in 2014. But the bond they shared on that Vancouver set remains a pivotal chapter in both their lives.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re a fan of their work or someone interested in how Hollywood narratives are built, there are a few things to take away from this "revelation":
- Watch Juno with fresh eyes: If you go back and watch the scenes between Juno and Leah now, look at the physical proximity. There’s a comfort level there that most actors take years to build.
- Read the memoir: If you want the full, unvarnished story of how the industry treats queer and trans talent, Pageboy is essential. It’s not just gossip; it’s a manual on survival.
- Support PageBoy Productions: If you want more stories that feel as raw as the one Elliot shared about Olivia, follow his production house's slate for 2026. They are prioritizing the "joy and mess" of LGBTQ+ life over sanitized versions.
The story of Elliot Page and Olivia Thirlby is a reminder that what we see on screen is often just the tip of the iceberg. Sometimes the most important performances are the ones happening when the cameras are actually off.