Rowling renews rift with Watson, Radcliffe and Grint over transgender rights
J. K. Rowling has called Emma Watson "ignorant" just days after the Harry Potter actress mentioned she still "treasures" her relationship with the controversial author.
Rowling issued a lengthy statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) regarding her relationship with Watson and the stars of the original 2001-2011 film franchise.
The author has publicly distanced herself from the actress, who played Hermione Granger, as well as the two other principal characters, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, after they supported transgender people.
However, just last week, Watson stated that despite Rowling’s firm views, she still "treasures" their relationship.
Responding, Rowling said: "Like others who haven’t experienced adult life without the cushion of wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life, she’s unaware of her own ignorance.
"Emma and Dan in particular have both made it clear over the last few years that they believe our former professional association gives them a specific right - indeed, obligation - to publicly critique me and my views.
"Years after they stopped acting in Potter, they continue to take on the role of default spokespeople for the world I created."
Aiming at Watson’s childhood success, Rowling said: "I wasn’t a multimillionaire at 14. I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous."
Speaking last week, Watson, 35, expressed her disappointment about being unable to speak to Rowling about their differences of opinion.
"The thing I’m most upset about is that a conversation was never made possible," she said.
"I think my deepest wish is that I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can continue loving people with whom I don’t necessarily share the same opinion."
Rowling continued: "I’m not entitled to eternal agreement from any actor who once portrayed a character I created.
"The notion is as absurd as me checking with the boss I had when I was twenty-one for what opinions I should hold today.
"Emma Watson and her co-stars have every right to adopt gender identity ideology. Such beliefs are legally protected, and I wouldn’t want to see them threatened with job loss, violence, or death because of their beliefs."
She mentioned she once felt "protectiveness" for Watson, but that disappeared when the actress "added fuel to the fire" of criticism against her anti-trans views.
"She’ll never need a homeless shelter," Rowling added. "She’s never going to be placed in a mixed-sex public hospital ward. I’d be astonished if she’s been in a high street changing room since childhood.
"Her ’public bathroom’ is single occupancy with a security guard outside the door.
"Has she ever had to undress in a newly mixed-sex changing room at a council-run swimming pool? Is she ever likely to require a state-operated rape crisis centre that refuses to guarantee an all-female service?
"Or find herself sharing a prison cell with a male rapist who’s identified [as a woman] in the women’s prison?"
She added: "I therefore understand from my own life experience what the infringement on women’s rights, in which Emma has so enthusiastically participated, means to women and girls without her privileges."
Politics Editor
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