Emma Watson talks the final ‘Harry Potter,’ feminism, corsets
Hermione Granger going back to school after 'Deathly Hallows' and vacation
Emma Watson at the New York premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2"
Credit: AP Photo
“If I was going to be a princess, I would be a warrior princess.”
Emma Watson, who plays the iconic Hermione Granger in the long-running “Harry Potter” film series, has some serious thoughts on feminism, grand declarations aside. The 21-year-old actress was in New York over this past weekend, the start of the American leg of promoting “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2,” out Friday.
While she may have retired her wand forever at this end of this movie franchise, Watson’s opportunity to play J.K. Rowling’s brainy witch gave her some perspective on moving forward in her career, as a strong-headed self-proclaimed feminist.
“I’m a bit of a feminist in the same way that she is. I will speak my mind,” Watson said to a group of journalists, comparing herself to Hermione. “I’m very heady in the same way that she is; I’m constantly thinking three, four moves ahead. I try to intellectualize a lot, which she does as well, obviously. I’m very determined as well... I feel so much of me went into her and so much of her went into me. I can’t really differentiate too much anymore it’s all a bit of a blur.”
Watson, sporting short hair and what appeared to be a Givenchy dress, said she drew inspiration from another feminist -- her mom – to try and convincingly play Hermoine as the film wraps up, and heading into her future post-Potter.
“For my mum, she was the first generation that felt like, ‘Wow, we really can work and we have choice.’ My mum worked when I was growing up. I feel like for my generation, not only do we have that choice, but we also have the choice to stay at home... But I also think it’s easy to feel a bit lost about what the right thing to do is,” she said.
The “right thing” for Watson next is to finish up her degree and promote her next projects. The actress completed about two years of study at Brown University here in the United States, but is studying English “abroad” – close to home at Oxford in England – for her third year. She also reiterated that she’s still enrolled at Brown. Before that, she plans to travel for the summer
And even throughout her studies, Watson wishes to remain an actress. She’s wrapped up her role as Sam in Mr. Mudd (“Juno”) production “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” which itself had some challenges.
“A lot of moments in this last movie I made in Pittsburgh, Perks of Being a Wallflower, I was terrified. On my first day I was so nervous. Doing a different accent, being on a new movie set, in a foreign country with a crew I didn’t know and a cast I didn’t know. There’s a scene where I have to mimic Susan Sarandon in ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and I’m standing in a corset in front of all of these extras trying to do this dance. I felt ridiculous. It’s funny, coming out of this, I’m constantly doing things that are new, and that takes bravery,” she said.
And, like Hermione, bravery and will power gets things done.
“You know, I feel like young girls are told that they have to be this kind of princess and be all delicate and fragile, and it’s bullsh*t. I identified much more with the idea of being a warrior, and being a fighter… I think women are scared of feeling powerful and strong and brave, and I think that’s something they’ve got to embrace.
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July 12, 2011 at 6:26PM EST Reply to CommentOne hopes that she isn't the kind of feminist to which we've become accustomed: brimming with misandry.
come on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias
July 14, 2011 at 1:37PM ESTCrazy Backlashers "Misandry"? Is this like the unicorn? Meaning, non-existent?
July 15, 2011 at 8:37PM ESTWe live in a world where men control all systems of representations and have a disproportionate share of economic, social, and political power. We live in a world where men are biased against women so much that American men prefer to have boys while women do not have a preference.
Google: American prefer boys.
Allan
July 12, 2011 at 6:30PM EST Reply to CommentWhat is so horrible about embracing your femininity? Is it really so horrible, ladies? Just sayin'...
Sara I think her point is that she *is* embracing HER femininity. She's female and she's being true to herself. Just because it doesn't match YOUR views of what she should be doesn't mean she's "not feminine". She's strong, very smart, a great actress, a high-earner, outspoken, motivated, responsible... If being "feminine" means being the opposite of any of these things - weak, dumb, passive, or low-achieving - why would anyone in the world want to "embrace femininity"? Just because she's all of this doesn't mean she wouldn't also make a great wife (she's obviously hot, I'm guessing she's also a strong communicator and all of that) or mother (strength, ability to provide, ability to protect, intelligent... all things a parent should be). So - three cheers for Emma! A superb role model for girls.
July 12, 2011 at 9:47PM ESTnaomie Hear, hear. Sara!
July 14, 2011 at 2:23AM ESTcrack3d
July 12, 2011 at 7:49PM EST Reply to CommentI wonder if Ms. Watson's ever watched Xena.
crack3d
July 12, 2011 at 7:49PM EST Reply to CommentI wonder if Ms. Watson is a fan of Xena.
Sandy
July 12, 2011 at 7:50PM EST Reply to CommentI think she's pretty brilliant. Not everyone is strong, passionate, outspoken, and opinionated. She's obviously all of these things, massively talented, highly intelligent, and gorgeous and "feminine" to boot. All she's saying is for women not to be afraid to be strong - be who you are and don't worry so much about falling outside of traditional norms. I think those norms are pretty much irrelevant these days but I know some women still feel pressure to minimize their talents and opinions to fit into such norms. Her strategy seems to have worked well for her so far!
GuanoLad
July 12, 2011 at 10:45PM EST Reply to CommentYou managed to misspell "Hermione" in every single instance. Good work.
LemuelG In addition, you also misspelled "Granger". Is it so hard to at least cover your basics?
July 13, 2011 at 4:56AM EST