J.K. Rowling has reignited her feud with Emma Watson, criticizing the “Harry Potter” star in a lengthy post on X and accusing her of being “ignorant” about real-world struggles. The renewed tension comes after Watson addressed their strained relationship on the “On Purpose With Jay Shetty” podcast earlier this month.
Rowling, who has faced widespread backlash for her views on the transgender community since 2020, wrote that Watson once sent her a handwritten note expressing sympathy while simultaneously criticizing her beliefs in public. According to Rowling, the note read: “I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.” Rowling claimed she found the gesture hollow, given the threats she said she endured at the height of the controversy.
“Like other people who’ve never experienced adult life un-cushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she’s ignorant of how ignorant she is,” Rowling wrote. The author alleged that Watson, because of her fame and privilege, has no understanding of the challenges many women face in areas such as healthcare, safety, and public spaces.
The rift between Rowling and her former cast members dates back to 2020, when Watson and Daniel Radcliffe publicly rejected Rowling’s statements about transgender rights. Watson wrote at the time: “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.”
Rowling wrote in her new post that she respects Watson and Radcliffe’s right to hold opposing views, but argued that they continue to act as “de facto spokespeople” for the Harry Potter franchise, criticizing her years after the films ended.
In her recent podcast interview, Watson sought to strike a conciliatory tone, saying she can still cherish her personal experiences with Rowling despite their differences. “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 had personal experiences with,” Watson said.
Rowling responded that Watson’s new approach felt strategic, suggesting it was an attempt to soften her stance because “full-throated condemnation of me is no longer quite as fashionable.” She added, “Had Emma not decided in her most recent interview to declare that she loves and treasures me … I might never have been this honest.”
Watson has not publicly responded to Rowling’s latest remarks. When asked on the podcast if she remained open to having a dialogue with the author, Watson said, “Yeah, and I always will. I believe in that completely.”
Rowling previously stated she would “never forgive” her former cast members for supporting what she described as “a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights.” Most recently, she amplified a parody video mocking Watson’s podcast comments, writing on X: “I’m here for all the spoofs.”
