Emma Watson Calls Hollywood Film Promotion 'Soul-Destroying'

Emma Watson, renowned for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, has spoken candidly about her complex relationship with acting, particularly criticizing the demands of promoting films as "soul-destroying." Despite stepping away from acting since her 2019 role in "Little Women," she expresses a deep longing for the creative and meditative aspects of performing, while simultaneously rejecting the pressures and constant public persona maintenance that come with it. Watson has emphasized that the promotional aspect of filmmaking, including selling and defending projects in front of the media, was a significant source of stress and dissatisfaction, overshadowing the parts of acting she truly enjoyed. She attributes her hiatus in part to a need to rebuild her personal life foundation, focusing on home, friends, and family, which she felt had suffered due to the intense demands of her career. Concurrently, Watson has pursued academic goals, including studying creative writing and switching to a DPhil, and maintains that she is "maybe the happiest and healthiest" she has ever been. Overall, her reflections reveal a shift from the pressures of early fame and the film industry to a more balanced and fulfilling life outside of acting.