Emma Watson made her last public comment about J.K. Rowling in 2025, with her remarks suggesting a possible shift after years of tension.
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In 2025, Emma Watson spoke about her long-running tension with J.K. Rowling during an appearance on Jay Shetty’s Podcast. Watson said she still “treasures” Rowling and shared that she believes people should be able to keep personal relationships even when they strongly disagree.
She also said that Rowling’s political views do not cancel out her personal feelings toward her.
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 spoke about Rowling in a more personal and direct way than she had previously. For some fans, her words suggested that the distance between them may not be permanent.
Rowling later responded in a lengthy post on X, pushing back on that idea. She described Watson’s remarks as a “change of tactic” and said she had avoided speaking publicly about the actor for years. She added that she decided to respond directly this time.
A Timeline of Emma Watson and J.K. Rowling’s Public Rift
J.K. Rowling | Credits: @jk_rowling / X. J.K. Rowling | Credits: @jk_rowling / X. J.K. Rowling | Credits: Today / YouTube. J.K. Rowling | Credits: @jk_rowling / X. J.K. Rowling | Credits: @jk_rowling / X. J.K. Rowling | Credits: Today / YouTube.
The public split between Emma Watson and J.K. Rowling began in late 2019. In December, Rowling shared a post on X supporting researcher Maya Forstater following a contract dispute.
Dress however you please.
Call yourself whatever you like.
Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you.
Live your best life in peace and security.
But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) December 19, 2019
In June 2020, Rowling published an essay on her website setting out her views on sex and gender.
Later that month, Watson shared a message on social media supporting transgender people. She did not mention Rowling in the post.
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.
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020
After that, neither spoke publicly about the other for several years. Watson did not comment on Rowling in interviews between 2020 and 2022. Rowling continued to make public statements during that time, but did not refer to Watson. There were no comments from either side in 2023 or 2024.
I'm seeing quite a bit of comment about this, so I want to make a couple of points.
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 twenty-one for what opinions I should… https://t.co/c0pz19P7jc
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 29, 2025
In 2025, Watson spoke about Rowling during an appearance on the podcast mentioned before. Rowling later responded in a post on X, addressing Watson’s remarks and accusing her of being ignorant.
Emma Watson’s Career and Public Work Since the Dispute
Since 2020, Emma Watson has taken a step back from acting. Her last major film role was Little Women, released shortly before the public dispute involving J.K. Rowling began.
Watson confirmed in 2023 that she was taking a break from acting, saying she wanted more control over her work and how often she was in the public eye (via Financial Times). She did not announce a retirement and has left the door open to returning to film.
Away from film, Watson continued working in fashion. In 2022, she directed a short film for Prada, her first directing credit. She has since appeared in fashion campaigns for the brand.
Watson has continued to support gender equality initiatives but has made fewer public appearances in recent years.
For this reason, her 2025 comments about Rowling stood out. They were among the few times Watson addressed the situation directly after several years of being quiet.
Do you think Watson’s comments changed anything? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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