J.K. Rowling Rejects Emma Watson’s ‘Sympathy and Kindness’

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Emma Watson consistently avoids directly addressing J.K. Rowling’s views. Whenever the Harry Potter author has made controversial statements about transgender people, the actress has chosen to publicly support the trans community instead of commenting on Rowling’s words. For example, on June 10, 2020, Watson tweeted, “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.” This came shortly after Rowling published a lengthy blog post explaining her views on biological sex versus gender identity. (Watson later shared an essay by Rebecca Solnit that challenged Rowling’s claims that cisgender women feel threatened by transgender women.) Sometimes, Watson expresses her support for trans people without any prompting from Rowling; in 2018, she simply posted a photo of herself wearing a “Trans Rights Are Human Rights” T-shirt.

It wasn’t until her appearance on Jay Shetty’s podcast on September 24 that Watson publicly addressed comments made by J.K. Rowling. Earlier this year, Rowling tweeted that Watson and her Harry Potter co-stars, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, “ruin” the movies for her, likely because they have all spoken out in support of trans rights since Rowling began focusing on the issue in late 2019. Watson explained to Shetty the difficult situation she faces: she fondly remembers Rowling’s kindness when she was young, but she also struggles to understand Rowling’s continued stance. “I think what I’ve realized is that it’s not necessarily what we say or believe, but how we say it that really matters,” she explained, meaning that Rowling has become increasingly aggressive and unkind in her views on trans issues, rather than expressing them respectfully. This was a generous perspective-one that upset many listeners-partly because it overlooked the harm caused to trans people. Watson’s comments also failed to acknowledge that Rowling isn’t simply expressing opinions about trans people; she is actively trying to influence laws. Watson also said that a major source of frustration in her relationship with Rowling is that a productive “conversation was never possible”: “I don’t want to contribute to a debate that is already so harmful and divisive.”

While Watson may have tried to calm things down between herself and Rowling, the author didn’t respond in kind on September 29. Instead of dealing with the issue privately, Rowling publicly criticized Watson on Twitter, calling her “ignorant.” Rowling acknowledges that, like herself, Watson is entitled to her own opinions; however, she claims Watson initiated the conflict at the BAFTAs (where Watson stated she was there for “all the witches, bar one” – perhaps a reference to Liz Truss, she joked). According to Rowling, after the BAFTA incident, Watson “asked someone to pass on a handwritten note that contained the single sentence ‘I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.’” Rowling explained, “Emma had just publicly made things worse, yet seemed to think a brief expression of concern would prove her genuine kindness and sympathy.”

I found the author’s explanation really interesting. They pointed out that Emma Watson, partially because of being an actress, probably hasn’t had to worry about feeling unsafe in a “mixed-sex changing room” or being turned away from a “state-run rape crisis center that refuses to guarantee an all-female service.” While Rowling might be right about that, she also admits Watson is perfectly entitled to her beliefs, even if they aren’t based on personal experience. It struck me as unfair how Rowling writes about Watson as if she’s lived a completely easy life. Like so many who become famous young, Watson has actually faced hardship – she’s dealt with stalkers, threats, and even invasive photos taken the night she turned 18. It seems Rowling is frustrated that Watson hasn’t used these experiences to become more reactionary, and that’s what really seems to bother her.

Let me tell you, the author really doesn’t come across well here. When Emma Watson tried to extend an olive branch, J.K. Rowling just completely dismissed it – she practically set it on fire. Honestly, this whole situation just highlights how flawed Watson’s attempt at making amends was to begin with. Instead of reaffirming her support for the trans community, Watson seemed to adopt this approach of assuming the best in Rowling, which clearly didn’t work. What I think Watson failed to grasp in the years since she initially responded to Rowling’s comments back in 2020 is just how unwilling the author is to engage in a genuine dialogue. Rowling is on X *every* day, arguing with everyone – trans people, journalists, and even former Harry Potter fans – about these issues. She isn’t interested in a conversation; she wants to be the conversation, and no amount of kindness or attempt at moving forward was going to change that. Despite all of Watson’s careful maneuvering, she’s going to be left disappointed. There still won’t be a productive discussion between them anytime soon, that’s for sure.

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2025-09-30 00:55