Emma Watson addresses rift with JK Rowling: ‘A conversation was never made possible’
Emma Watson opened up on her complicated relationship with JK Rowling. (Getty)
Emma Watson opened up on her complicated relationship with JK Rowling. (Getty)
Harry Potter star Emma Watson has spoken about the rift between her and franchise author JK Rowling, emphasising that she still has ‘love’ for Rowling, despite their difference in opinions.
Emma Watson, who starred as Hermione Granger in all eight of the original Harry Potter film adaptations, has long been known as a fierce ally to the trans community, telling trans fans in a series of tweets in June 2020 that she and “so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are”.
JK Rowling’s views on trans people have been well documented since she began publicly expressing gender-critical views in 2019; when the author celebrated ‘TERF VE Day‘.
In 2024, Rowling took to X to state that she would not “forgive” Watson and several other franchise stars including Daniel Radcliffe for their views.
Speaking on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, Watson has addressed the rift, emphasising that she still holds “love” for Rowling due to their shared experience on the film series, and that she remains open to having a “dialogue”.
“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 and the person that I had personal experiences with,” Watson said.
Continuing, Emma Watson said of her relationship with JK Rowling: “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.”
The star, who has distanced herself from the limelight in recent years, added: “I think the thing I’m most upset about is that a conversation was never made possible.”
When quizzed if she remained open to having that conversation, Watson said: “Yeah, and I always will. I believe in that. I believe in that completely.”
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