Elliot Page has landed one of the most unexpected covers in New York Magazine's new Men's Style Issue, appearing shirtless in the publication's first standalone edition dedicated to menswear and style. But the choice quickly shifted attention away from fashion, with social-media users questioning Page's inclusion and Republican representative Nancy Mace delivering a blunt five-word response: 'This is not a man.'
The cover, released on 28 September 2026, shows Page leaning against a wooden door with his tattooed arms crossed, wearing only striped shorts. The image was part of a larger shoot at New York City's Russian & Turkish Baths, featuring Page alongside names including Troye Sivan, Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist.
New York Magazine's Unusual First Issue
The new edition marks New York Magazine's first standalone Men's Style Issue, with the 89-page print magazine deliberately moving away from the traditional formula associated with dedicated fashion titles. Instead of centring everything around one conventional cover star, the edition has four different covers and mixes fashion with wider stories about culture and style.
The magazine described the issue as being about 'putting clothes on and taking them off again,' setting up a deliberately playful approach to menswear. That idea is particularly visible in the bathhouse feature, where the emphasis is less on elaborate outfits and more on bodies, setting and atmosphere.
Page Takes the Cover
Page is one of the faces chosen for that launch, photographed by Ryan McGinley at the historic Russian & Turkish Baths in the East Village. The actor appears shirtless on the main image, with another photograph showing him in the same bathhouse setting.
The shoot also includes several other prominent figures, including Troye Sivan, and was presented as a gathering of stylish men in one of New York's longstanding bathhouse spaces. Page also spoke about recently becoming more comfortable with the idea of visiting bathhouses and simply being in his body in that environment.
Nancy Mace Delivers Five Words
Page's inclusion quickly attracted hostile responses on X, with some commenters questioning the decision to feature him in an issue explicitly devoted to men's style. Others focused on the photograph itself, criticising everything from the styling and pose to Page's expression.
This is not a man.
— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) September 28, 2026
Among the responses was one from Nancy Mace, the Republican representative from South Carolina, who posted a short reaction to the image: 'This is not a man.' Her comment became one of the most direct public responses to Page's appearance in the issue.
Social Media Takes Aim at the Cover
Other users made mocking remarks about Page and questioned the magazine's choice, while some criticised the image without focusing on gender. These were individual social-media reactions rather than statements supported by evidence, with the comments ranging from jokes about Page's appearance to complaints that the photograph did not look particularly fashion-focused.
No such thing as a transgender person. She's a woman who wants us to believe she's a man.
— Ryanator Marylandensis 🤓 (@ryanofmaryland) September 28, 2026
In reality, she's only neutered herself, but she hasn't made herself a man.
The reaction was not universally negative, however, with other users praising Page's appearance and defending the decision to feature him. Some commenters also argued that the photograph was simply an unconventional choice for a style magazine, showing that the online response included sharply different opinions.
If there’s not a dick
— Gregg Waters (@greggwaters369) September 28, 2026
It’s still a chick
The Bathhouse Shoot Adds Another Twist
The setting has also become part of the story, with McGinley photographing the group inside the Russian & Turkish Baths on East 10th Street. The venue dates back to the late 19th century and provides a very different backdrop from the polished studio sets normally associated with magazine fashion shoots.
Page discussed his recent experience with bathhouses in the accompanying feature, saying he had only become interested in spending time in such spaces in the past couple of years. His comments gave the shoot a more personal angle beyond the controversy surrounding the cover.
Page Has Not Addressed the Backlash
Page promoted his new mockumentary series Slo Pitch on Instagram on 28 September, the same day the magazine cover was unveiled. He has not publicly responded to the criticism surrounding his Men's Style appearance, leaving the online reaction largely driven by the magazine, its critics and supporters.
For New York Magazine, the launch was intended to explore the many sides of modern menswear rather than simply showcase conventional fashion photography. Yet Page's inclusion has ensured that the first Men's Style Issue is attracting attention for a much bigger reason than clothes.
