Rowling Slams Watson After Podcast Remarks

Emma Watson told Jay Shetty’s podcast she “still treasures” J.K. Rowling and wished a conversation had been possible despite their long public rift over transgender rights. Rowling replied on X with a blistering rebuke, calling Watson “ignorant of how ignorant she is,” accusing her of having “poured more petrol on the flames,” and reminding Watson that Rowling’s books made her famous. Rowling said she had endured death, rape and torture threats amid the controversy, added she was not “owed eternal agreement” by former cast members, and suggested Watson and Daniel Radcliffe had acted as de facto spokespeople for gender-identity views tied to the franchise. Watson framed her podcast remarks as an olive branch and a wish to keep loving people with different views. The exchange underscores the ongoing fallout from Rowling’s gender-critical statements since 2019 and the lasting public rift with several Potter actors.