Emma Watson has revealed why she stepped back from acting, describing the promotional side of the industry as 'soul-destroying' in a new interview with Hollywood Authentic. The Harry Potter star, who has not appeared in a film since 2018's Little Women, said she is now 'maybe the happiest and healthiest I’ve ever been'.
Watson, 34, explained that while she loves the craft of acting, the pressure of selling her work became overwhelming. 'I do not miss selling things. I found that to be quite soul-destroying. But I do very much miss using my skill-set, and I very much miss the art,' she said. She added that the balance between the job itself and the promotion often felt 'thrown off'.
The actress, who rose to fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, has since focused on academia. She graduated from Brown University in 2014 with a degree in English literature and is currently studying for a Master's in creative writing at Oxford. Watson also runs a sustainable gin brand, Renais, with her brother Alex.
Watson admitted that her career had taken a toll on her personal life. 'The most important thing, really – or the foundation of your life – is your home and friends and family. I think I worked so hard for so long that my life sort of bottomed out,' she said. She described needing to 'do some construction work' to build a solid foundation for herself.
Despite her hiatus, Watson remains active in activism, campaigning for environmental justice and solidarity with Palestine. She has also been at odds with Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling over transgender issues, a feud that continues to make headlines. Watson won the top prize at the inaugural genderless MTV Movie and TV Awards in 2017.
