By Apoorva Rastogi | Sep 30, 2025 | 11:17 AM
**JK Rowling Responds to Emma Watson’s Comments on Their Complicated Relationship**
Author JK Rowling has responded to recent comments made by Harry Potter star Emma Watson regarding their complicated relationship. In a lengthy and scathing post on X, Rowling criticized Watson for being “ignorant of how ignorant she is” and called out her privilege.
The ongoing feud between Rowling and several Harry Potter actors has been fueled by the author’s controversial anti-transgender remarks and allegations of transphobia. In contrast, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe have publicly voiced their support for the transgender community.
### Rowling’s Statement: ‘Emma Has So Little Experience of Real Life’
Rowling began her post by stating,
> “I’m not owed eternal agreement from any actor who once played a character I created. The idea is as ludicrous as me checking with the boss I had when I was 21 for what opinions I should hold these days.”
She went on to say,
> “Like other people who’ve never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she’s ignorant of how ignorant she is.”
### Author’s Perspective on Watson and Radcliffe
Rowling continued,
> “Emma Watson and her co-stars have every right to embrace gender identity ideology. Such beliefs are legally protected, and I wouldn’t want to see any of them threatened with loss of work, or violence, or death because of them.”
However, the author expressed frustration,
> “Emma and Dan in particular have both made it clear over the last few years that they think our former professional association gives them a particular right, nay, obligation, to critique me and my views in public.”
### Referencing Watson’s 2022 BAFTA Moment
Rowling also referenced Watson’s viral speech at the 2022 BAFTAs, where the actor said she was there for “all of the witches,” a statement interpreted as support for the trans community. Rowling wrote,
> “[After the event], Emma asked someone to pass a note, which [said] ‘I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.’ Emma had just publicly poured more petrol on the flames, yet thought a one-line expression of concern would reassure me of her fundamental sympathy.”
### Watson’s Comments on Their Relationship
Rowling’s response followed Watson’s remarks on the “On Purpose” podcast with Jay Shetty. Watson said,
> “I guess where I’ve landed it, it’s not so much what we say or what we believe, it’s how we say it. I just see this world right now where we seem to be giving permission to this throwing out of people, or that people are disposable. I will always think that’s wrong.”
### Support from Watson and Radcliffe for the Trans Community
Emma Watson has been vocal in her support for transgender rights. In 2020, she 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.”
Similarly, Daniel Radcliffe has spoken out in favor of the trans community, stating,
> “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo [Rowling] or I.”
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The tension between JK Rowling and her former Harry Potter co-stars continues to highlight the broader cultural debate around transgender rights and free speech.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/jk-rowling-responds-to-emma-watson/story
