J.K. Rowling slams Emma Watson in a recent post, revealing a private letter from the Harry Potter star amid a growing public disagreement. Rowling, the author of the best-selling fantasy series, and Watson, who played Hermione Granger in all eight Harry Potter films, have had an increasingly strained relationship in recent years due to their different stances on transgender rights.
Now, in a nearly 700-word statement on X/Twitter, Rowling has accused Watson of both undermining and misrepresenting her while maintaining what the author describes as an “illusory” gesture of support, after revealing the contents of a private note allegedly pᴀssed on to her by Watson when Rowling says she was receiving serious threats to her safety.
See Rowling’s post below:
J.K. Rowling & Emma Watson’s Dispute Explained
The tensions between J. K. Rowling and members of the Harry Potter cast — particularly Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe — began in 2020, when Rowling publicly voiced concerns about aspects of gender idenтιтy discourses. Critics accused her of being transphobic, an allegation Rowling has repeatedly denied, stating that her comments stem from concerns about the implications for women and girls.
While some support the author’s right to express her views, others have distanced themselves from the franchise and Rowling. Cast members like Radcliffe and Rupert Grint have made statements in support of trans rights. Watson, meanwhile, stated at the 2022 BAFTA Awards, “I’m here for all the witches, by the way,” in a remark Rowling found “inflammatory.”
This marked a definitive break between Watson and Rowling, whose views have continued to generate headlines and heated debate. Most recently, however, appearing on the On Purpose With Jay Shetty podcast, Watson said she “loves and treasures” Rowling, despite their differing beliefs. Now, Rowling’s new post addresses Watson’s recent remarks and expresses skepticism over sincerity:
[…] had Emma not decided in her most recent interview to declare that she loves and treasures me […] I might never have been this honest.
What J.K. Rowling’s Statement On Emma Watson Means
Rowling emphasized that she doesn’t expect agreement from her previous Harry Potter co-workers but took issue with their ongoing roles as “de facto spokespeople for the world [she] created.” Furthermore, she details a particular incident where Watson sent her a private note after her famous “all witches” speech in 2022, which read: “I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.“
Rowling criticized this action, claiming it was a selective and performative gesture given their former professional ᴀssociation. The Harry Potter author said she had long refrained from commenting on Watson publicly due to protectiveness, rooted in knowing her since childhood, but Watson’s recent comments about Rowling have caused her to speak out and “make a couple of points.”
As a result, Rowling went on to argue that Watson lacks the real-world experience to understand the consequences of the causes she supports, concluding by suggesting that Watson’s shift to expressing affection toward her may be driven more by changing public opinion than by sincerity. Thus, the Harry Potter author said she now feels justified in responding publicly to the criticism.
Harry Potter
- Created by
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J.K. Rowling
- First Film
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- First TV Show
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Harry Potter
- Cast
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Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, Alan Rickman, Matthew Lewis, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Richard Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Alfred Enoch, Harry Melling, Gary Oldman, Robert Pattinson, Warwick Davis, Oliver Phelps, James Phelps, David Bradley, David Thewlis, Katie Leung, Jason Isaacs, Imelda Staunton, David Tennant, Jamie Campbell Bower, Timothy Spall, Robbie Coltrane, Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Johnny Depp, Mads Mikkelsen
- TV Show(s)
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Harry Potter
- Movie(s)
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
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