Elliot Page went shirtless for New York magazine’s first-ever “Men’s Style” issue, and the internet is not sure what to make of it. The cover story, which also featured Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, Troye Sivan, and Marlon James, has sparked a wave of online commentary, ranging from praise for Page’s comfort to skepticism about the magazine’s direction.
The Cover Story
New York magazine has long covered men’s fashion, but this week marked its first full issue dedicated to men’s style. The stars posed in steam and towels, and Page’s bare chest drew particular attention. He spoke about the shoot while visiting a bathhouse, calling it a place where people go to bathe and relax.
“I went to a bathhouse recently,” he said in a note published by New York. “I’ve only in the past couple of years been like, Yeah, that sounds nice, to like go somewhere and sit around in your body like that.”
Online Reaction
Not everyone agreed with the magazine’s choice. One commenter snarked that it was one of the saddest photos they had ever seen. Another took aim at the selection process itself.
“You used to be a respectable publication. Now you are a complete joke,” one critic said. Another wrote, “This is the best you could do of finding attractive, interesting looking men to feature? It would have been so easy to find men who look confident, who care about fitness, and who can attract the camera. Sadly, none of these people do.”
“He looks cool as hell,” countered a fan.
Page’s Comfort Zone
Page has been open about his transition for years. His top surgery for breast tissue removal was “life saving,” he told Oprah Winfrey in 2021.
“[I] feel comfortable in my body for probably the first time” following the surgery, the actor said. The procedure gave him “such a freeing, freeing experience.”
“Not only has it been life-changing for me, I do believe it’s been life-saving and it’s the case for so many people,” he continued. “And because there is such an attack on trans healthcare right now, when already there’s such lack of access.”
At the time, the actor was referring to laws in Arkansas and other legal fights across the U.S. that threatened to ban young transgender people from gaining access to certain gender-affirming treatments.
Shower Songs
In the same interview, Page revealed his shower habits. He sings sometimes, and it’s mostly the same songs stuck in his head.
“Like ‘Do you believe in life after love?’ That’s one I’ll belt out. Or ‘The Sound of Music:’ I’ve never seen the movie, which seems crazy, but for some reason I find myself belting out that song in the shower. I can’t explain it,” he added.
He also said it was the “little things” that brought him the “most joy” while transitioning, like wearing a T-shirt.
Past Reactions
When Page posed shirtless for the first time after coming out as trans a few months prior, fans were effusive. Miley commented with a heart emoji: “Hot.”
Actor Justin Cornwell chimed in: “Dude I see why you crushed me on that workout!”
“You look amazing… and most of all happy,” praised Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev.
Kirrin Medcalf, the Trans Community Engagement Lead at LGBT charity Stonewall, also weighed in.
“It’s fantastic to see Elliot looking so comfortable and happy in his latest photo. Elliot’s has always been a role model to a huge number of people, and it is wonderful that he can share his trans joy with the world,” Medcalf told BBC.
Comparing the Responses
| Commenter | Response |
|---|---|
| Critic | “You used to be a respectable publication. Now you are a complete joke.” |
| Fan | “He looks cool as hell.” |
| Snarked | One of the saddest photos they had ever seen |
The split is clear. Some see the cover as a bold statement of comfort. Others see it as a decline in standards. Page himself has made his position clear: he is in his comfort zone, and he wants to share it.
See the video the story is built around at Bored Panda.
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