Emma Watson, born in 1990, gained worldwide fame for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. She continued to impress audiences with her performances in The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) and more recently in Beauty and the Beast (2017) and Little Women (2019).
However, in reality, Emma Watson has not acted in a film since December 2018, when she completed filming for the adaptation of Little Women. After that, the British star shifted her focus towards business. In 2020, she was appointed to the fashion board of Kering – the parent company of Gucci – joining the ranks of several other successful entrepreneurs.
In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Emma Watson revealed that she feels “not at all keen” about acting. This explains her decision to stop acting since late 2018, and she has yet to have a concrete plan to return to this profession.
Watson expressed that, as a star of a film, she feels every aspect of her life is scrutinized, whether she is in control of the situation or not. “I feel like I am most vulnerable in this field, and one of the hardest things is answering questions that I can’t control. For example, when a new movie is released, every journalist might ask: ‘Do you think the details are appropriate for your perspective?’. It’s really difficult to turn back into a representation and spokesperson for issues like that,” the British star said.
“I feel like I am the most exposed in this industry, and one of the hardest things is answering questions that I can’t control. For instance, when a new film is released, every journalist might ask: ‘Is the detail that you are discussing appropriate to your perspective?’. It’s really hard to revert to being a spokesperson for issues like that,” the star stated.
Despite this, Watson noted that she will continue to wait for suitable opportunities to act again before stepping back in front of the camera. She stated: “I am very happy to wait for the right opportunity. I love what I do and don’t need to try to be someone else just to please others.”
Emma Watson’s statements also somewhat refute the rumors from last year, where many reports suggested that the reason for her withdrawal from acting was to spend time with her fiancé. Watson’s representatives have also clarified to Entertainment Weekly that “Emma’s social media accounts are not just her job.”
The Burden of Fame and Success
The Harry Potter series grossed $7.7 billion worldwide and has garnered a dedicated fan base globally, even into 2023, when people still watch and enjoy the films. This tremendous success has brought the actors a level of fame that is sometimes overwhelming. However, not everyone enjoys the spotlight, and Emma Watson is one of those who has found it challenging.
Emma Watson as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter.
Living a luxurious life with fame can sound appealing, but losing complete privacy is a significant downside. In a British Vogue interview, Emma Watson shared that she was only 9 years old when she became famous and has had to work hard to cope with this new reality. The star still sometimes feels overwhelmed by the attention that comes with her success.
“I’ve been doing this work since I was 10 or 11 years old. There are times when I wonder, is it my fault for being too serious? Or is it because I’m too intense? Am I different?”
She often finds herself grappling with her identity and the reality of who she is outside the public eye. The difficulty of maintaining this distinction is challenging, as she aims to separate her character in films from her true self. “It is one of the most difficult things for me, because when we participate in this film, all three of us—Dan, Rupert, and I—were just kids. What happened to us felt like a story unto itself.”
Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint.
Thus, the story of her life has become public knowledge, which complicates her desire to maintain a sense of normalcy. This is why she strives to “protect” her identity amid her fame. “I want to make a clear distinction between the character I play and the real me,” she said.
The emotions and mentality of Emma Watson are something that was shaped by her experiences in the spotlight from a very young age. Notably, several years ago, after making a statement about women’s rights, she was targeted by hackers who leaked sensitive photos on social media, which made her statements seem hypocritical. Watson has not shied away from addressing this, expressing her frustration over the scrutiny she faces.
This is also the reason why, despite becoming a high-profile star with a net worth in the millions, Watson’s public image is that of a woman who seeks to maintain her privacy. The public has rarely heard of her attending extravagant parties, splurging on luxuries, or engaging in high-profile relationships. Instead, she is more often associated with her educational pursuits, advocacy for social change, and her efforts to raise awareness about pressing issues. She insists that her private life remains quite simple, even down to the point of being somewhat boring, so she doesn’t need to make it a spectacle.
*Source: Fandom Wire, Financial Times, E! News
