Emma Watson Responds to Reaction Over “Topless” Photo

Mar 07, 2017

Posted by: Ashley Kurtz

Actor Interviews, Interviews, Media, Watson, Watson Interviews

Recently we covered Emma Watson’s Vanity Fair interview regarding feminism, Potter and Beauty and the Beast – which premiers next week.

What was unexpected was the amount of backlash that Emma received over this photo:

Photo by Tim Walker for Vanity Fair.

Photo by Tim Walker for Vanity Fair.

Despite showing so little and poised with her usual grace, many people thought it undermined her feminist values and made her a hypocrite for letting herself be sexualised. When asked about it, she explained:

“It just always reveals to me how many misconceptions and what a misunderstanding there is about what feminism is. Feminism is about giving women choice. Feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women with. It’s about freedom, it’s about liberation, it’s about equality. I really don’t know what my tits have to do with it. It’s very confusing.”

In the interview with BBC, Emma also emphasised that the shoot felt artistic, engaging and empowering:

“They were saying that I couldn’t be a feminist and … and have boobs.”

The BBC reported on some responses to the allegations, which commended Emma for the actions she has taken to further women’s rights and the clear strength and empowerment she embodies:

“Emma Watson has done more for women and for young girls than most of us put together,” says Sam Smethers, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, which campaigns for gender equality and women’s rights.

“So I don’t really see that just because she’s made that decision, any of us should be criticising her.

“She’s an empowered woman who is posing for a very tasteful image. She’s not being exploited, she doing it in a controlling position. It’s a positive use of her body”

Even Sexist News, behind the Page 3 topless model ban campaign said that Emma was “championing feminism” and said the critiques represented an “impossible standard”.

Check out the full interview and BBC article on the issue here. We applaud Emma for standing up for her beliefs just like Hermione would!





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.