Ugh! Emma Watson’s new honest opinion on JK Rowling is so wildly gutless, and people are so angry

Though JK Rowling will always be known as the author of perhaps one of the most popular fantasy franchises of all time, her anti-transgender opinions have dominated public perception of her.

Who could have guessed that after writing a terrifyingly compelling villain in Harry Potter, JK Rowling would step into his shoes in real life? The stars of the original franchise seemed to distance themselves from her as a result, with lead star Daniel Radcliffe arguing that neither he nor JK Rowling is educated enough to deny trans women are women.

“Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I,” he wrote in an article for the Trevor Project.

Rupert Grint, who played Ron, said similar, as did Emma Watson when she tweeted in 2020: “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.”

Unfortunately, her newest comments have been super disappointing.

Emma Watson commented on JK Rowling’s trans rhetoric this week

This week, Emma Watson gave a rare interview – and her first podcast apperence –  to On Purpose with Jay Shetty. She talked about her ban from driving, her leaving Hollywood, and, of course, JK Rowling.

Though Emma said she still believes in her earlier comments about trans rights, she continued to explain that it can’t negate the memories she has with JK Rowling.

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“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, that I had personal experiences with,” she said.

girl fck both of them

— ໊ (@buffys) September 24, 2025

“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. Like I just don’t think these things are either or. I think it’s my deepest wish that I, I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people whom I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with.”

But here’s the thing: An opinion is mayonnaise versus ketchup, dogs versus cats, or McDonald’s over Burger King. It’s not whether a tiny group of people have the right to determine their own existence on this made-up little rock in space. Too often, you’ll find people hiding behind “well that’s my opinion”, and we’re just supposed to accept that? Nah.

Hermione Granger would NEVER sit on the fence like this. https://t.co/CBsTAaShMi

— Khole| 馮可妮 🍉 they/them (@NicoleT_Osborn) September 25, 2025

She further noted how she was “most upset” that JK Rowling never gave her the chance to talk about their difference of opinion. I don’t know, I think the most upsetting thing is openly admitting to using your Harry Potter money to fund anti-trans campaigns, but that’s just me.

People summed it up pretty well on Twitter

We all know how much JK Rowling loves Twitter, and while the TERFs came out in force in the comments, others made some solid points about Emma’s statement being “empty”, hollow, and “wishy washy kumbaya.”

“Neutrality in the face of oppression isn’t compassion; it is siding with the oppressor. Saying you can ‘still love’ Rowling while she openly attacks trans people just shows you are insulated from the damage she causes… That’s not grace, it is privilege!!” one person wrote.

I thought Emma Watson was better than this my bad I guess https://t.co/o4gbcYOYzL

— Momo 🐳 Check pinned 📌 (@CommieBoongles) September 25, 2025

A lot of the arguments seem to be that you can condemn someone’s words and cherish nostalgic memories at the same time, as one person explained: “Fond memories? Sure, cherish the nostalgia, but don’t pretend loving someone means ignoring their toxic views. Stand up, call it out, and stop with the wishy-washy kumbaya. True love doesn’t enable hate…it demands better.”

“Y’all would keep fond memories of Hitler if he had been nice to you once. I’m so done with all this shit,” someone else said.

Hermione Granger would never.

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Featured image credit: On Purpose with Jay Shetty/NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock