Emma Watson Takes Jab at JK Rowling’s Transphobic Views

During Sunday night's BAFTA Awards, actor Emma Watson seemed to take a dig at Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and her transphobic comments.

At the British film awards ceremony, host Rebel Wilson introduced Watson -- best known for playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise -- to the stage to announce an award winner.

"Here to present the next award is Emma Watson. She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she's a witch," Wilson said.

As Watson came to the podium, she smiled and said, "I'm here for all the witches."

Social media users took the comment as a direct jab at Rowling who has consistently shared transphobic remarks over social media in previous years, including last week on International Women's Day. Many have called Rowling a TERF, an acronym for "trans-exclusionary radical feminist."

One Twitter user wrote, "Emma Watson destroying JK."

Another user wrote, "Emma Watson is a queen for this," while another called it a "giant dig" at the author.

A trans Twitter user wrote, "Emma Watson has me crying on the train and it's not a great look."

She added, "JK Rowling is not the daughter of a witch they couldn't burn, she's the daughter of the woman who screamed witch to have her sisters burned out of jealousy. She's a sad relic."

Rowling published an essay in 2020 sharing her views on trans people and trans rights. Afterward, several Harry Potter actors, including Watson, distanced themselves from Rowling's views.

Wilson also joked about Rowling's transphobia on Sunday night. Referring to her own weight loss, Wilson said she was "looking different" after a "transformation."

"I hope JK Rowling still approves," Wilson said.