Elliot Page recounts coming out as trans to Oprah: 'It really felt imperative'

"I was expressing this to people in my life much before posting that letter and telling people for the first time and knowing I wanted a moment, of course, to become comfortable in myself and to be able to kind of get to that point," he said. "For me, I think, in this time we're in right now and especially with this horrible backlash we're seeing towards trans people—particularly trans youth—it really felt imperative to do so."

The Juno star continued to note that, while he came out as gay in February 2014 days before turning 27, it was still "important and selfish for myself and my own well-being and my mental health" to tell the world he was trans. Not to mention, he added, helping others in similar positions.

Shortly after Page's coming out, he released a joint statement with Emma Portner in January announcing their divorce after three years of marriage.

Since turning in an Oscar-nominated performance in 2007's Juno, Page has gone on to star in several roles across film and television. The Nova Scotia native currently plays Vanya Hargreeves in Netflix's Umbrella Academy, which was renewed for a third season last fall.

Page's full interview with Winfrey will drop on Apple TV Plus on Friday (April 30).