J.K. Rowling is laughing off Emma Watson’s olive branch days after the actress opened up about her complicated relationship with the Harry Potter author.
Watson recently discussed the rift between them in a rare interview, arguing that she can still “treasure” Rowling despite disagreeing with her anti-trans views. Two days later, Rowling confirmed her awareness of Watson’s comments by sharing a parody of the interview.
In the video she posted, British satirist IntelLady impersonates Watson addressing her estrangement from Rowling, delivering a long and windy speech full of contradictions.
“I have always held space for [Rowling], and so much love in my heart for her, and would hope that she felt the same way about me,” the comedian as Watson says sarcastically. “But also, I stand shoulder to shoulder with those who would wish harm on her, hate her, and would wish the absolute worst for her in her life. But though seemingly incompatible, those two things can exist at the same time, which is why I love this incredibly diverse world that we live in.”
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The faux Watson then adds, “I truly feel that there will always be a warmth and a love between myself and her. I know she’s still writing — hopefully those writings will one day become hit movies and perhaps a franchise and maybe she would consider working with me again down the line.”
Fake Watson then added under her breath, “My agent hasn’t called me in a while, so I don’t know if that would be possible, but I truly would love to reconnect with her.”
Mocking Watson’s so-called “word salad” answers, IntelLady captioned the video, “You may need some vinaigrette to consume this.”
Resharing the parody post to her followers with a laugh-crying emoji, Rowling wrote, “I’m here for ALL the spoofs.”
Watson, who played Hermione Granger across eight films in the Harry Potter franchise, first came into conflict with Rowling when the author started sharing her views on the transgender community. Rowling was swiftly criticized by LGBTQ+ organizations and members of her own fan base for reiterating hurtful rhetoric that is tied to the TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminists) movement, which posits the belief that trans women are not women.
Watson soon joined her Harry Potter costars, including franchise lead Daniel Radcliffe, in denouncing Rowling’s stance. “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are,” Watson wrote in a 2020 social media post.
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Addressing the disagreement on a new episode of Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Watson clarified that this difference in beliefs does not mean she doesn’t appreciate Rowling as a person.
“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,” Watson told Shetty. “I will never believe that one negates the other, and that my experience of that person I don’t get to keep and cherish.”
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She added that she remains open to having a dialogue with Rowling, noting how upsetting it was that “a conversation was never made possible.”
Rowling has firmly stood by her anti-trans rhetoric, claiming she would “happily” go to prison for misgendering a transgender person.
As for the dissenting Harry Potter alums, the author previously stated that she would not forgive the actors for supporting trans rights, saying they should “save their apologies.”
