‘She’s Ignorant Of How Ignorant She Is’: JK Rowling Shreds Emma Watson In Blistering Takedown

JK Rowling tore a strip out of Emma Watson in a scathing post shared Monday on X.

Watson, an actress from the “Harry Potter” film series, spoke out about distancing herself from Rowling over her views on transgenderism during a recent interview with Jay Shetty. She told Shetty that despite her differences, she didn’t want Rowling to be canceled. Rowling shared a cryptic post shortly after the interview aired, then returned again with her most recent, ferocious post. The famous author called out Watson by name while delivering a verbal lashing.

“Like other people who’ve never experienced adult life uncushioned by wealth and fame, Emma has so little experience of real life she’s ignorant of how ignorant she is,” Rowling wrote.

I’m seeing quite a bit of comment about this, so I want to make a couple of points.

I’m not owed eternal agreement from any actor who once played a character I created. The idea is as ludicrous as me checking with the boss I had when I was twenty-one for what opinions I should… https://t.co/c0pz19P7jc

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 29, 2025

Rowling’s scathing post was a far cry from Watson’s words about the author.

“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,” Watson told Shetty in the interview.

Rowling took aim at Watson and co-star Daniel Radcliffe in her new post.

“Emma and Dan in particular have both made it clear over the last few years that they think our former professional association gives them a particular right – nay, obligation – to critique me and my views in public,” Rowling wrote.

Rowling continued, “I’m not owed eternal agreement from any actor who once played a character I created. The idea is as ludicrous as me checking with the boss I had when I was twenty-one for what opinions I should hold these days.”

She went on to admit it was “hard to shake a certain protectiveness” after knowing Emma since she was a kid.

“Until quite recently, I hadn’t managed to throw off the memory of children who needed to be gently coaxed through their dialogue in a big scary film studio,” Rowling wrote.

The famous author said the “turning point” in their relationship came in 2022 when Watson appeared to dig indirectly at Rowling on stage at the BAFTA Awards.

Host Rebel Wilson introduced Watson by saying: “She’s proud to call herself a feminist, but we all know she’s a witch.”

Watson responded that she was “here for ALL of the witches,” which was broadly taken as a statement on behalf of the transgender community.

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. https://t.co/pt6SOguDUI

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 25, 2025

Rowling claimed the moment had “a postscript that hurt far more than the speech itself” when Watson sent a one-line note despite having her phone number. She said the note read, “I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.”

“This was back when the death, rape and torture threats against me were at their peak, at a time when my personal security measures had had to be tightened considerably and I was constantly worried for my family’s safety,” Rowling said.

“Emma had just publicly poured more petrol on the flames, yet thought a one line expression of concern from her would reassure me of her fundamental sympathy and kindness,” she wrote.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: The three main lead children characters from the Harry Potter films Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter); Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) pose at a photocall at London’s Liberal Club 27 May, 2004. The actors are promoting the latest film in the Harry Potter series, “Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban,” which will premier in London 30 May. AFP PHOTO/MARTYN HAYHOW (Photo credit should read MARTYN HAYHOW/AFP via Getty Images)

Rowling continued slamming Watson, saying, “She’ll never need a homeless shelter. She’s never going to be placed on a mixed sex public hospital ward. I’d be astounded if she’s been in a high street changing room since childhood.”

She attacked Watson’s status, saying, “Her ‘public bathroom’ is single occupancy and comes with a security man standing guard outside the door. ”

The author pressed on, saying, “Has she had to strip off in a newly mixed-sex changing room at a council-run swimming pool? Is she ever likely to need a state-run rape crisis centre that refuses to guarantee an all-female service? To find herself sharing a prison cell with a male rapist who’s identified into the women’s prison?”

British author JK Rowling (R) poses for photographers with British actress Emma Watson after receiving her British Academy of Film Award (BAFTA) for ‘Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema: Harry Potter’ at the Royal Opera House in central London, on February 13, 2011. AFP PHOTO/Carl de Souza (Photo by Carl DE SOUZA / AFP) (Photo by CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images)

Rowling juxtaposed her descriptions with her own humble upbringing, writing, “I wasn’t a multimillionaire at fourteen. I lived in poverty while writing the book that made Emma famous.”

“I therefore understand from my own life experience what the trashing of women’s rights in which Emma has so enthusiastically participated means to women and girls without her privileges,” Rowling continued. (RELATED: ‘Shove Their Pitchfork’: JK Rowling Posts Cryptic Remarks After Emma Watson Gives Rare Interview)

She lashed out once more before signing off, writing, “Emma is rightly free to disagree with me and indeed to discuss her feelings about me in public – but I have the same right, and I’ve finally decided to exercise it.”