J.K. Rowling has published her most fulsome comments yet on her rift with Harry Potter star Emma Watson.
In a near-700-word post on X/Twitter, the Wizarding World author tore into Watson over her “ignorant” views on transgender rights and published the letter that shattered their relationship.
Her intervention comes after Watson appeared on a podcast last week, during which the actress said she still has love for Rowling and is grateful for the creation of Hermione Granger, but is upset at the tone and nature of the debate around gender diversity.
Rowling said Watson is entitled to her views, but voiced irritation that the Little Women star and Daniel Radcliffe “continue to assume the role of de facto spokespeople for the world I created.”
Rowling said the breaking point in their relationship happened in March 2022, when Watson presented a prize at the BAFTA Film Awards and opened her remarks by saying: “I’m here for all of the witches.”
Rowling said Watson’s comment came at a time when “death, rape and torture threats against me were at their peak” amid the dispute over trans rights.
What was not known at the time was that Watson privately wrote to Rowling soon after the BAFTA event to express her concern for the author, according to Rowling.
“Emma asked someone to pass on a handwritten note from her to me, which contained the single sentence ‘I’m so sorry for what you’re going through’ (she has my phone number),” Rowling said.
“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.”
Rowling claimed that Watson’s views on transgender rights come from a place of ignorance because her wealth means she does not use “mixed sex” hospital wards or changing rooms, and security guards tail her when she is in public spaces.
“Like other people who’ve never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she’s ignorant of how ignorant she is,” Rowling said.
“I wasn’t a multimillionaire at fourteen. I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous. 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.”
She continued: “The greatest irony here is that, had Emma not decided in her most recent interview to declare that she loves and treasures me – 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 – I might never have been this honest.”
“Adults can’t expect to cosy up to an activist movement that regularly calls for a friend’s assassination, then assert their right to the former friend’s love, as though the friend was in fact their mother. 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.”
