Emma Watson, who famously starred as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise, recently spoke about her complicated relationship with the book series’ author, JK Rowling. In recent years, Rowling has stirred controversy for sharing transphobic views. In 2020, after Rowling wrote an essay that was criticized, Watson released a statement supporting the transgender community.
Rowling would go on to say that she would “never forgive” Watson because of her views, and that she finds that Watson and other Harry Potter co-stars “ruin” the movies for her. In an appearance on the On Purpose With Jay Shetty podcast, Watson was asked about her reaction to Rowling’s comments:
“I really don’t believe that by having had that experience and holding the love and support and views that I have, mean that I can’t and don’t treasure Jo [Rowling] and the person that I had personal experiences with. I will never believe that one negates the other and that my experience of that person, I don’t get to keep and cherish. To come back to our earlier thing – I just don’t think these things are either or. I think it’s my deepest wish that I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people who I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with.”
Watson added that what most upsets her is that a conversation between her and Rowling on the subject “was never made possible.” When Shetty asked if Watson would be open to talking with Rowling now, she replied, “Yeah, and I always will. I believe in that. I believe in that completely.”
You can watch the complete interview here:
Emma Watson Returns With New Interviews
This interview has been part of a reemergence of Watson in the media after she has been keeping a lower profile in recent years. Part of that included an interview with Hollywood Authentic, where she revealed the “soul-destroying” parts of acting that she does not miss as she is in the midst of a seven-year hiatus from acting (her last on-screen acting role was in 2019’s Little Women, which wrapped its production in late 2018).
There is no indication right now that Watson’s recent media appearances are going to lead to a return to acting. Watson is an activist and has been a UN Goodwill Ambᴀssador since 2014.
Our Take On Emma Watson’s Rowling Comments
Watson’s comments come at a time when many influential media figures are attempting to express the idea that we can have a difference of opinions but still respect and care for one another.
Aside from Watson, Jimmy Kimmel shared in his return to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 23 that he appreciated those with different viewpoints on many topics stood with his right to free speech.
