Emma Watson is one of the most famous and influential actresses of our time. She rose to stardom as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, and has since starred in various roles that showcase her versatility and talent. But Emma is not just an actress; she is also a passionate advocate for women’s rights, education, and sustainability.
In this blog post, we will explore Emma’s life, career, and achievements, and learn more about what makes her an inspiring role model for millions of people around the world.
Early Life and Education
Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson was born on April 15, 1990, in Paris, France, to English lawyers Chris Watson and Jacqueline Luesby. She lived in France until she was five years old, when her parents divorced and she moved to Oxfordshire, England, with her mother and younger brother.
Emma showed an interest in acting from a young age, and attended the Oxford branch of Stagecoach Theatre Arts, where she took acting, singing, and dancing classes. She also performed in several school plays and local theatre productions.
Emma’s big break came in 1999, when she auditioned for the role of Hermione Granger in the film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. She beat thousands of other girls for the part, and impressed the casting directors with her confidence and intelligence. She was only nine years old when she got the role, and had no professional acting experience prior to that.
She soon became a household name, as the Harry Potter films became a global phenomenon and broke box-office records. Emma reprised her role as Hermione in all eight films of the series, from 2001 to 2011, and earned critical acclaim and numerous awards for her performance.
Despite her busy schedule, Emma did not neglect her education. She attended the Dragon School in Oxford until 2003, and then moved to Headington School, where she balanced her studies with her acting career. She achieved excellent grades in her GCSE exams in 2006, and her A-level exams in 2008.
She also took a gap year before enrolling at Brown University in the United States, where she majored in English literature. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2014, after spending some time at Oxford University as a visiting student. Emma has always been an avid reader, and has shared her love of books with her fans through her online book club, Our Shared Shelf, which she launched in 2016.
Career and Achievements
After the Harry Potter films ended, Emma sought to expand her horizons and take on more diverse and challenging roles. She made her first post-Potter appearance in the BBC film Ballet Shoes in 2007, where she played one of three orphaned sisters who pursue their dreams of becoming actresses and dancers.
She also voiced the princess Pea in the animated film The Tale of Despereaux in 2008. In 2011, she played a supporting role in the biographical drama My Week with Marilyn, where she portrayed a wardrobe assistant who falls in love with a young Colin Clark, who worked as an assistant director on the set of The Prince and the Showgirl, starring Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier.
Emma’s first leading role after Harry Potter was in the coming-of-age drama The Perks of Being a Wallflower in 2012, where she played Sam, a free-spirited and charismatic senior who befriends a shy and introverted freshman. The film was based on the novel by Stephen Chbosky, who also directed and wrote the screenplay. Emma received rave reviews for her performance, and won the MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance and the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress.
She also starred in the crime comedy The Bling Ring in 2013, where she played a rebellious teenager who is part of a group of fame-obsessed young thieves who rob the homes of celebrities. The film was directed by Sofia Coppola, and was based on a true story. Emma showed her range and versatility as an actress, and earned praise for her portrayal of a morally ambiguous and complex character.
Emma continued to explore different genres and roles in the following years. She played Noah’s adopted daughter Ila in the biblical epic Noah in 2014, directed by Darren Aronofsky. She also appeared in the comedy This Is the End in 2013, where she played a fictionalized version of herself.
She also starred in the thriller Regression in 2015, where she played a young woman who accuses her father of a crime he does not remember committing. She also played a cult escapee in the historical drama The Colony in 2015, and a tech employee in the sci-fi thriller The Circle in 2017.
One of Emma’s most notable roles was as Belle in the live-action remake of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in 2017, directed by Bill Condon. She played the iconic princess who falls in love with a cursed prince, and sang several songs in the film.
The film was a huge success, and became one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Emma received positive feedback for her performance, and won the MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Actor in a Movie and the Teen Choice Award for Choice Fantasy Movie Actress.
She also starred as Meg March in the adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women in 2019, directed by Greta Gerwig. She played the eldest sister of the March family, who struggles with her artistic ambitions and her romantic choices. The film was a critical and commercial hit, and received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
Emma has also ventured into other fields besides acting. She has done some modelling work, and became the face of Burberry in 2009 and 2010. She also collaborated with the ethical fashion brand People Tree, and launched a clothing line for young women in 2010. She also became an ambassador for Lancôme in 2011, and appeared in several campaigns for the cosmetics company.
In 2020, she joined the board of directors of Kering, a luxury brand group, in her capacity as an advocate for sustainable fashion. In 2023, she launched Renais, a gin brand that she co-founded with her brother Alex. The gin was inspired by the wine region of Chablis, where her family has been making wine for 30 years.
Activism and Philanthropy
Emma is not only a successful actress and entrepreneur, but also a dedicated activist and philanthropist. She has used her fame and platform to raise awareness and support for various causes, especially women’s rights, education, and the environment.
She has been involved with several organizations and campaigns, such as UNICEF, Fair Trade, and Greenpeace. She has also donated money and items to various charities, such as the Wild Trout Trust, the Great Ormond Street Hospital, and the Small Steps Project.
Emma’s most prominent role as an activist is as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, which she was appointed in 2014. She helped launch the HeForShe campaign, which aims to engage men and boys in the fight for gender equality. She delivered a powerful speech at the UN Headquarters in New York, where she invited men to join the movement and challenged the stereotypes and prejudices that hinder women’s empowerment.
Her speech went viral, and received widespread praise and support from celebrities, politicians, and the public. She also travelled to various countries, such as Uruguay, Malawi, and Bangladesh, to promote women’s education, political participation, and legal rights. She also spoke at various events and conferences, such as the World Economic Forum, the G7 Summit, and the One Young World Summit, to advocate for women’s issues and solutions.
Emma has also been a vocal supporter of the Time’s Up movement, which was launched in 2018 in response to the sexual harassment and abuse scandals in Hollywood and other industries. She donated £1 million to the UK Justice and Equality Fund, which provides legal support to victims of sexual misconduct. She also signed an open letter calling for an end to harassment and discrimination in the entertainment industry.
She also wore black to the Golden Globe Awards in 2018, as a sign of solidarity with the movement. She also brought Marai Larasi, the executive director of Imkaan, a UK-based organization that works to end violence against black and minority women, as her date to the ceremony. She also wore a temporary tattoo that read “Time’s Up” to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2018, although it was misspelled as “Times Up”.
Emma has also been outspoken about environmental issues, and has advocated for a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry. She has promoted the use of organic and recycled materials, and has worn eco-friendly outfits to various events and red carpets. She has also collaborated with designers and brands that share her vision, such as Stella McCartney, Zady, and Alberta Ferretti.
She has also supported the Green Carpet Challenge, which encourages celebrities to wear sustainable fashion to high-profile events. She has also used her social media accounts to highlight the environmental impact of the fashion industry, and to share tips and resources on how to be more conscious and responsible consumers.
What Other Movies Has Emma Watson Starred In?
Emma Watson has starred in many movies besides the Harry Potter series. Some of her other notable movies are:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower: A coming-of-age drama based on the novel by Stephen Chbosky, where she played Sam, a free-spirited senior who befriends a shy freshman.
Beauty and the Beast: A live-action musical remake of Disney’s classic, where she played Belle, the intelligent and courageous heroine who falls in love with a cursed prince.
Little Women: A period drama adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel, where she played Meg March, the eldest sister of the March family, who struggles with her artistic ambitions and her romantic choices.
Has Emma Watson Won Any Awards For Her Acting?
Emma Watson has won many awards for her acting. She has been nominated for more than 70 awards, of which she has won more than 20. Some of her most notable awards are:
Eight Teen Choice Awards, including Choice Movie Actress: Fantasy for Beauty and the Beast in 2017.
Three MTV Movie Awards, including Best Actor in a Movie for Beauty and the Beast in 2017.
One People’s Choice Award for Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress in 2013.
One Capri Ensemble Cast Award for My Week with Marilyn in 2012.
One Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 2002.
What Is Emma Watson Net Worth?
Emma Watson’s net worth is $85 million as of 2023. She earned most of her wealth from her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, as well as from other movies, endorsements, modelling, and activism. She has been ranked among the world’s highest-paid actresses by Forbes and Vanity Fair. She also launched a gin brand called Renais in 2023, which was inspired by her family’s wine business.
Conclusion
Emma Watson is a remarkable woman who has achieved so much in her life, and has inspired many people with her talent, passion, and courage. She is not only a talented actress, but also a fierce activist and a generous philanthropist. She has used her voice and influence to make a positive difference in the world, and to empower others to do the same. She is a true role model, and a shining example of what it means to be a wizard.
