‘Juno’ actress Ellen Page comes out as gay
An emotional Ellen Page, the adorable, quirky actress who enchanted movie audiences in 2007 as the pregnant teenager Juno, came out as gay Friday night at a conference for educators and counselors who work with LGBTQ youth.
“I’m here today because I am gay, and because maybe I can make a difference,” the 26-year-old Page told a group of about 600 school counselors, teachers and others at the Human Rights Campaign’s inaugural conference devoted to issues faced by children and teenagers who identify as lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual or queer. “I feel a personal obligation and a social responsibility. I also do it selfishly, because I am tired of hiding and I am tired of lying by omission.”
The audience rose to its feet, giving Page, whose sexuality has been the subject of gossip and speculation for years, the first of two standing ovations.
“I suffered for years because I was scared to be out,” said Page, who was nominated for a best actress Oscar for “Juno.” “My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered. And I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain.”
Kevin Hart passes on MVP trophy
Film star Kevin Hart’s reign as the best celebrity basketball player of NBA All-Star weekend has come to a humbling end, even if the fans in attendance thought otherwise.
The 5-foot-2 Hart had seven points and four assists for the West team in a 60-56 loss to the East squad Friday night in New Orleans, but fans voted him the game MVP for a third straight year.
Rather than accept the trophy, Hart insisted it go to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who had 20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the East. The 6-foot-5 Duncan played at Harvard.
Hart said he had to be “a humble loser,” but the comedian added that on the bright side, his new movie, “About Last Night,” is in theaters this weekend.
The birthday bunch
Actor Jeremy Bulloch is 69. Actor William Katt is 63. Rhythm-and-blues singer James Ingram is 62. Actor LeVar Burton is 57. Actor-rapper Ice-T is 56. Rock musician Andy Taylor is 53. Rock musician Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) is 42. Pop-rock singer Ryan Follese (Hot Chelle Rae) is 27. Rock musician Danielle Haim is 25. Actress Elizabeth Olsen is 25.