JK Rowling has seemingly not taken Emma Watson's recent comments well, as she doubles down on social media.
Speaking on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, Watson reflected on her history with Rowling while addressing the author’s controversial comments on transgender rights.
Despite saying that she still "treasures" Rowling, the Harry Potter author doesn't seem to be in the mood to reconcile.
Emma Watson Speaks Out About JK Rowling
“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,” Watson, 35, said.
She continued: “I will never believe that one negates the other and that my experience of that person, I don’t get to keep and cherish.”
Watson added: “I just don’t think these things are either or. I think it’s my deepest wish that I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people who I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with.”
The actress also expressed regret that the pair never had a direct conversation about their disagreements, saying the thing she was most “upset about is that a conversation was never made possible.”
She confirmed she would still be open to dialogue, adding she “truly and completely believes in that.”
Rowling Responds With Sharp Words
While Watson struck a conciliatory tone, Rowling appeared less forgiving.
On Thursday, she reshared a lengthy statement she originally posted in May, addressing backlash she faced over her stance on sex and gender identity.
“In light of recent open letters from academia and the arts criticising the UK's Supreme Court ruling on sex-based rights, it's possibly worth remembering that nobody sane believes, or has ever believed, that humans can change sex, or that binary sex isn't a material fact,” Rowling, 60, had written.
She went on to argue that advocates of trans ideology “have to quieten their consciences before publicly boosting a movement intent on removing women's and girls' rights, which bullies gay people who admit openly they don't want opposite sex partners, and campaigns for the continued sterilisation of vulnerable and troubled kids.”
Rowling added: “I wonder whether any of them will ever feel shame.”
Sharing the message again this week, she wrote: “A little reminder for anyone who may be regretting their very public sprint to the front of the mob and is now trying to discreetly shove their pitchfork out of sight.”
Rowling Hits Back at the Cast
Rowling has since made it clear she does not intend to forgive the Harry Potter trio.
When asked earlier this year on social media whether Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint could apologize and earn her forgiveness for publicly disagreeing with her comments on the trans community, she bluntly replied: “Not safe, I’m afraid.”
She also accused the actors of “cozying up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights.”
In another sharp moment, Rowling responded to a viral post asking: “What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?” with: “Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible,” alongside laughing emojis - widely seen as a jab at the Harry Potter stars.