Emma Watson gives speech at BAFTA and fans see pinned to JK Rowling

Netizens are pointing out a criticism of the writer JK Rowling in the speech that Emma Watson, 31, gave on stage at the Bafta Film Awards this Sunday (13).

The actress, who played the witch Hermione Grainger in the films adapted from Rowling’s books, presented the Best British Film award at the awards. Rebel Wilson called Watson to the stage, saying, “Here, to present the next award, is Emma Watson. She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she’s a witch.”

“I’m here for all witches,” Watson replied, emphasizing the “all”, which made some viewers take the phrase as a “poke” to JK Rowling’s 2020 comment on gender.

On social networks, netizens divided their opinions between those who supported the actress’ speech and those who believed that the criticism was not appropriate at that moment. “Is it over there [Emma Watson] owes her a lot [J.K.]. She needs to stop biting the hand that feeds her,” said one. “Was this a prank by Emma Watson on JK Rowling? What a queen!” wrote another.

In 2020, the author of the Harry Potter stories shared an article about “people who menstruate” on Twitter. “‘People who menstruate’. I’m sure there used to be a word for these people. Someone help me? Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud? (purposeful modifications of the word ‘Woman’, English for woman),” she said at the time.

Critics pointed out that Rowling’s views equated femininity with menstruation, while many transgender men menstruate and many women do not. Rowling said her comments were not intended to offend the transgender community, only to emphasize that “sex is real and has vivid consequences”.

“I respect the right of all transgender people to live in a way that is authentic and comfortable for them. I would protest with you if you are discriminated against on the basis of being trans,” Rowling wrote on Twitter. “At the same time, my life was shaped by being a woman. I don’t believe it’s hateful to say that.”