.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
In 2001, a young child actress with tremendous skills took the world by storm. From her very first appearance as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Emma Watson managed to conquer not only audiences, but critics as well. So much so that for her debut in the saga she earned several nominations, which continued to increase over the ten years that the franchise lasted. In everyone's eyes, Watson was a whirlwind of talent predicted to have a bright future. Following the critical acclaim of her first role and with her acting skills now matured, Watson kept on working in films across many genres, successfully avoiding being pigeonholed into her well-known role as Hermione. As such, she took part in both independent and blockbuster movies, and worked alongside some of the finest directors in the film industry.
In addition to her outstanding career as an actress, Watson has also built a legacy in education, humanitarian work, and activism, raising the awareness of major social issues. Over the years, she has been involved in numerous campaigns, supporting causes that range from fighting for equality to environmental preservation, establishing herself as a role model for young people all over the world.
A Witch Who Stole the Show
The know-it-all witch Hermione Granger is the character that transformed Watson's life forever. And, somehow, she always knew that this role was meant for her: the actress loved J. K. Rowling's books, and when the producers of the movie showed up at her school, she immediately decided to give it a try. However, as fond as Watson was of the role, she has discussed in several interviews the overwhelming experience of being a part of such a popular franchise. Indeed, before shooting Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix, Watson had some serious doubts about staying on the project or not. Thankfully, she made up her mind and went ahead with her role, and in between shootings, she also starred in other productions, such as the TV film Ballet Shoes and the biopic My Week with Marilyn. Following the saga's finale, Watson's acting career continued to rise, and she was further acclaimed for her roles in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring, and Noah. By 2017, the actress was cast as a Disney princess and starred in the live-action Beauty and the Beast, then two years later, she joined the cast of Greta Gerwig's Little Women, which is one of the finest adaptations of Louisa May Alcott's novel.
Her Studies at Brown University
After starring in Harry Potter and despite being financially stable, Watson chose to pursue her passion for learning and attended Brown University. Having been involved in the saga from a very young age where she received a well-rounded but non-traditional education, her time at college introduced her to a completely different structure and restored a bit of normalcy to her life. Fortunately, everyone at the institution was respectful of her privacy, and Watson was able to have the same experience as anyone else. Before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature, she spent a few months at Worcester College, Oxford, as part of the Visiting Student Programme. To a large extent, her time at college and her acting experience in the industry laid the foundations for what was to be a promising journey into activism.
Feminism and the Fight for Gender Equality
While Watson has continued to star in several films, as the years went by, she decided to shift her focus towards her work as an activist. A few months after she graduated from college, Watson was appointed as a U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador. From then on, she used her popularity to raise awareness of a number of issues, going so far as to take a sabbatical year to educate herself on feminism and other causes she wanted to promote. One of her great efforts over the years has been in favor of gender equality, which led her to launch the HeForShe campaign, seeking to involve men in the quest for gender equality and also to break with gender-based assumptions. During one of her speeches, she specifically addressed her own background, speaking about how she was questioned as a child and adolescent for certain attitudes that boys of her age were not, and how her image was sexualized by the media.
In her ongoing battle for women's rights, Watson has traveled to different countries to raise awareness and get involved in many issues. In 2016, she visited Malawi as part of a campaign for the International Day of the Girl Child in an effort to end child marriage. She is a strong advocate of equal pay between men and women, and has contributed to many organizations that share her goals, while encouraging fans who want to give her gifts to donate them to their favorite causes.
Campaigning for Environmental Justice
Another of Watson's major campaigns is related to sustainability, making her one of the most visible faces in environmental awareness campaigns. For several years now, the actress and activist has been promoting sustainable fashion brands on every red carpet she has attended. For the 2016 Met Gala, for instance, she collaborated with Calvin Klein and Eco Age to create a gown made from recycled plastic bottles. Years before, she teamed up with People Tree, a fair trade fashion company, serving as creative adviser and launching her own line of sustainable clothing. In 2021, as part of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Emma hosted a panel on climate change featuring several speakers, such as activist Greta Thunberg. Today, she is still working to raise awareness of different issues, making changes that will have a positive impact on both the future of society and our planet.