Emma Watson is being praised for thinly-veiled swipe at J. K. Rowling at the BAFTAs

14 March 2022, 17:00

Emma Watson reacts to hilarious Harry Potter outtake

By Jazmin Duribe

"Emma Watson unsurprisingly continues to show the importance of love and acceptance for all, whilst JK Rowling spirals even further into creating the polar opposite."

Loading audio...

Emma Watson called out J. K. Rowling in the most subtle way.

On Sunday night (Mar 13), Emma attended the 2022 EE British Academy Film Awards (or BAFTA Awards) and she had the chance to present the award for Outstanding British Film.

But first the Harry Potter actress, who is best known for playing Hermione Granger in J. K. Rowling's popular movie series, was introduced by host Rebel Wilson. She said: "Here to present the next award is Emma Watson. She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she’s a witch."

Emma Watson is being praised for thinly-veiled swipe at J. K. Rowling at the BAFTAs. Picture: Alamy, BBC

When Emma reached the podium she smiled, looked to the camera, and said: "I’m here for all of the witches." Follower her statement, Emma is thought to have mouthed "bar one", but some people think she actually said "by the way" instead.

Fans think her comment was directly aimed at J. K. Rowling, who has been called out on several occasions for her "transphobic" statements and for aligning herself with the trans-exclusionary radical feminist (TERF) movement. On Saturday (Mar 12), J. K. Rowling called out Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer for declaring that "trans women are women".

One person tweeted: "Emma Watson is a queen for this." Another added: "Emma Watson unsurprisingly continues to show the importance of love and acceptance for all, whilst JK Rowling spirals even further into creating the polar opposite."

Emma Watson is a queen for this pic.twitter.com/fng3dHsfYJ
— Joe🥤 (@JoePassmore) March 13, 2022

I love the shade Emma Watson just threw at JK Rowling at the BAFTAs. She said, "I'm here for ALL of the witches, bar one." Emma is a QUEEN. pic.twitter.com/3jXEDVpzHQ
— Alejandra Caraballo 🏳️‍⚧️🇵🇷 (@Esqueer_) March 14, 2022

Emma Watson destroying JK #baftas pic.twitter.com/FbyWbBP2ZN
— Joe (@realjoegreeeen) March 13, 2022

‘B-b-b-but Emma Watson owes her career to-’
No. Because someone once gave you a job, that doesn’t mean you must enslave your conscience, your integrity, your very soul to that person.
That idea is utterly despicable.
— William Hussey (He/Him) (@WHusseyAuthor) March 13, 2022

Maybe Emma Watson mouthed “bar one” during her acceptance speech and maybe she didn’t (she absolutely did), but regardless, “I’m here for all the witches” is the best bit for me. A lot of young trans girls are watching that clip this morning and smiling. She’s a lovely soul.
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️‍⚧️🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) March 14, 2022

The thing that’s completely wild about the Emma Watson thing, aside from the notion that you owe former employees loyalty in all matters for the rest of time, is that she didn’t say *anything* negative about her. She was supportive of trans women. That was it. That was the slight
— Sara Gibbs (@Sara_Rose_G) March 14, 2022

This hasn't been the first time Emma has clapped back at JK Rowling, though. After J. K. Rowling published her essay detailing her harmful thoughts about transgender rights in 2020, Emma donated to trans children's charity Mermaids.

She also tweeted: "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are. I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are."

Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are.
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) June 10, 2020

We truly love to see it.