Harry Potter Star Emma Watson Has Her Say On Rift With JK Rowling

Emma WatsonHarry Potter star Emma Watson has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the series’ creator JK Rowling about her views on the transgender community.Emma played Hermione Granger in all eight of the Harry Potter films, but in recent years, the author has spoken out against her due to their differing views on trans issues.In 2020, when Rowling landed herself at the centre of backlash due to comments she’d made about transgender people, Emma issued a brief statement which read: “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are.“I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.”Her co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint also issued similar statements at the time, and in the years since, Rowling has claimed that the trio should “save their apologies” (when one X user claimed that they owed her one), and later alluded to the fact that the group had “ruined” the original run of films for her.JK Rowling in 2018Asked about the rift between herself and Rowling during an appearance on the podcast On Purpose With Jay Shetty, Emma insisted: “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.“I will never believe that one negates the other and that my experience of that person, I don’t get to keep and cherish.”She continued: “I just don’t think these things are either or. I think it’s my deepest wish that I hope that 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.”“I think the thing I’m most upset about is that a conversation was never made possible,” the Little Women star noted, before insisting that a dialogue between herself and Rowling was something she would “always” be open to.She added: “I believe in that. I believe in that completely.”Recent history has seen Rowling’s divisive remarks about trans people including repeatedly and deliberately misgendering several trans public figures and celebrating the UK Supreme Court’s controversial ruling that the legal definition of a woman should include only those who were assigned female at birth (having also donated tens of thousands of pounds to the campaign group which raised the initial legal challenge).A new TV adaptation of Harry Potter is currently in the works, which has seen several of its cast members facing criticism due to Rowling’s involvement.Help and support: The Gender Trust supports anyone affected by gender identity | 01527 894 838Mermaids offers information, support, friendship and shared experiences for young people with gender identity issues | 0208 1234819LGBT Youth Scotland is the largest youth and community-based organisation for LGBT people in Scotland. Text 07786 202 370Gires provides information for trans people, their families and professionals who care for them | 01372 801554Depend provides support, advice and information for anyone who knows, or is related to, a transsexual person in the UKMORE HARRY POTTER:Harry Potter Director Insists Reunion Would Be 'Impossible' Due To JK Rowling ControversyStephen Fry Weighs In On JK Rowling Controversy As He Claims She's Been 'Radicalised'Nick Frost Addresses Controversy Over JK Rowling's Views After Joining Harry Potter TV Series

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