Harry Potter writer J.Okay. Rowling on Monday condemned Emma Watson as “ignorant” over her transgender rights views, in a stinging riposte to the previous youngster star.
In a protracted publish on X, the author expressed her irritation that Watson, 35, and Daniel Radcliffe, 36 — who starred within the movie variations of Rowling’s best-selling books — “continue to assume the role of de facto spokespeople for the world I created”.
Radcliffe, who performed boy wizard Potter, and Watson, who performed his good friend Hermione Granger, have each taken difficulty with Rowling’s stance on gender points.
But Rowling, who has not beforehand been so outspoken about Watson, urged that the star’s privilege meant she was unable to correctly grasp the problems at stake.
“I wasn’t a multimillionaire at 14. I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous,” she mentioned. “I therefore understand from my own life experience what the trashing of women’s rights in which Emma has so enthusiastically participated means to women and girls without her privileges.”
Rowling has lengthy been on the forefront of the controversy about gender identification and has beforehand denounced trans activism, resulting in accusations of transphobia.
She has defended herself saying her concern was the influence it has on ladies’s rights and single-sex areas for ladies.
Rowling, 60, additionally revealed her annoyance at receiving a one-line notice from Watson in 2022.
Following an awards ceremony at which Watson publicly made a dig at Rowling she despatched her a message saying “I’m so sorry for what you’re going through”.
“This was back when the death, rape and torture threats against me were at their peak, at a time when my personal security measures had to be tightened considerably and I was constantly worried for my family’s safety,” the writer mentioned.
“Emma had just publicly poured more petrol on the flames, yet thought a one line expression of concern from her would reassure me of her fundamental sympathy and kindness,” she mentioned.
Rowling additionally hinted she had solely determined to be “this honest” concerning the “Beauty and the Beast” and “Little Women” actress now due to feedback final week by which Watson introduced that she nonetheless cherished and treasured the writer.
This was “a change of tack I suspect she’s adopted because she’s noticed full-throated condemnation of me is no longer quite as fashionable as it was,” Rowling mentioned.
“Adults cannot anticipate to cosy as much as an activist motion that usually requires a good friend’s assassination, then assert their proper to the previous good friend’s love.
“Emma is rightly free to disagree with me and indeed to discuss her feelings about me in public — but I have the same right, and I’ve finally decided to exercise it,” she mentioned.
© 2025 AFP