JK Rowling blasts Emma Watson after the actress addresses their feud, claiming she will “never forgive” Watson and Daniel Radcliffe for their stance on transgender rights. Read the full statement from the author.
JK Rowling has opened up about her thoughts on Emma Watson, following the actress’s recent comments regarding their ongoing feud. In a new statement shared online, Rowling expressed that she would “never forgive” Watson and her former co-star, Daniel Radcliffe, for supporting the transgender community.
The feud between the two became public when Watson appeared on Jay Shetty’s podcast, where she revealed that, despite their differences, she still “treasures” Rowling and the personal experiences they shared during the making of the Harry Potter series.
Watson, now 35 years old, stated: “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.”
“I think she’s going to find that you can’t sit on the fence… The real win is when ordinary people can say these things.”@DerryBanShee speaks to @joshxhowie about Emma Watson’s comments about JK Rowling.
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— Sex Matters (@SexMattersOrg) September 29, 2025
The Author’s Response
Rowling, known for her outspoken views on gender identity, posted a lengthy response to Watson’s comment, taking issue with the actress’s continued public stance on the matter. In her post, Rowling stated:
“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 hold these days.”
While Rowling acknowledged that Watson and Radcliffe are free to hold and express their beliefs, she criticized them for continuing to publicly critique her views. She said, “Emma Watson and her co-stars have every right to embrace gender identity ideology… but they seem to think their former professional relationship with me gives them a right to publicly criticize my opinions.”
Rowling also referred to a past incident where Watson supposedly expressed sympathy during a difficult time in the author’s life. However, Rowling described Watson’s gesture as insufficient, calling her “ignorant” due to her “privileged” life experiences.
Controversial Remarks and Criticism
Rowling’s post continued with sharp criticism of Watson’s life and experiences, stating that the actress “will never need a homeless shelter” or face the same challenges many women face regarding their rights and safety. Rowling pointed out that Watson is unlikely to experience issues like sharing a prison cell with a male rapist or needing a state-run rape crisis center that doesn’t guarantee an all-female service.
The author then highlighted the “great irony” of Watson’s change in tone, speculating that Watson’s recent comments might be motivated by the fact that public sentiment towards Rowling had shifted. Rowling expressed that, despite the personal history between them, Watson’s stance on gender identity issues made it impossible for her to “forgive” the actress.
Reflection on Women’s Rights and Activism
Rowling ended her post by emphasizing her understanding of the impact the erosion of women’s rights has on women and girls, particularly those without privileges like Watson’s. The author expressed that, had Watson not recently declared her affection for her in a public interview, she might never have felt compelled to respond so candidly.
“Adults can’t expect to cozy up to an activist movement that regularly calls for a friend’s assassination, then assert their right to the former friend’s love,” Rowling wrote.
What’s Next for the Feud?
As of now, neither Watson nor Radcliffe have responded to Rowling’s latest comments. The ongoing public clash between the author and her former Harry Potter stars has captured the attention of fans and the media alike, with many speculating about the future of their relationships.
