Emma Watson discusses fallout with JK Rowling, says she still ‘treasures’ Harry Potter author but doesn’t want to ‘weaponize toxic debate’

Emma Watson and JK Rowling's relationship went sour over their difference in views on trans rights. Emma recently addressed their rift and admitted that she still 'treasures' Rowling.

By: Entertainment Desk

Chennai | Updated: September 25, 2025 10:39 AM IST

4 min read

Emma Watson discusses rift with JK Rowling.(Pic: Reuters)

After the relationship between Harry Potter star Emma Watson and JK Rowling went sour over the difference in their views on trans rights, Emma has addressed their rift in a recent interview. The 35-year-old British star, who is known for her portrayal of Hermione Granger in the blockbuster film adaptation of Rowling’s books, has been an advocate for trans rights. Rowling, on the other hand, has been criticised for her transphobic remarks.

Despite their differences in opinion, Emma admitted that she “treasures” Rowling and cherishes their time working together. “I really don’t believe that by having had that experience, and holding the love and support and views that I have, means that I can’t and don’t treasure Jo and the person that I had personal experiences with,” Emma said on Jay Shetty’s podcast. “I will never believe that one negates the other and that my experience of that person, I don’t get to keep and cherish. I just don’t think these things are either/or.”

She added, “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. And I think that’s a very, very important way for me that I need to be able to move through life. … I guess where I’ve landed is it’s not so much what we say or what we believe, but very often how we say it. That’s really important and that’s really frustrating and not what you want to hear when you’re really angry and upset with someone.”

Emma admitted that she has kept the door open to reconnect with Rowling primarily because “a conversation was never made possible.” Explaining why she avoided discussing the matter in public, she said, “I just don’t want to say anything that continues to weaponize a really like toxic debate and conversation. It is why I don’t comment or continue to comment. Not because I don’t care about her or about the issue, but because the way that the conversation is being had feels really painful to me.”

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Earlier, while speaking to The Atlantic, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe spoke about the time JK Rowling said that she “would never forgive him and Watson” for their views. His response was similar to that of Emma, as he had said, “It makes me really sad, ultimately,” Radcliffe said last year. “I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.”

He added, “I’d worked with the Trevor Project for 12 years and it would have seemed like, I don’t know, immense cowardice to me to not say something. I wanted to try and help people that had been negatively affected by the comments. And to say that if those are Jo’s views, then they are not the views of everybody associated with the Potter franchise … I will continue to support the rights of all LGBTQ people.”

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