In a revealing new interview, Brendan Ivie, the South African academic who once dated Harry Potter star Emma Watson, has shared intimate details about their relationship and the diamond ring that sent the rumour mill into overdrive.
The 28-year-old Rhodes scholar met Watson while they were both studying at the prestigious Oxford University, where their romance blossomed away from the glaring spotlight of Hollywood.
The Ring That Started It All
Ivie candidly discussed the now-infamous diamond ring that sparked widespread speculation about an engagement between the pair. "It was just a beautiful gift," he explained, dismissing the engagement theories that circulated at the time.
The couple's relationship unfolded during Watson's time at Oxford, where she sought normalcy away from her global fame as Hermione Granger. Ivie described their dynamic as "grounded and intellectual", focusing on shared academic interests rather than celebrity lifestyle.
Life After Emma
Since their separation, Ivie has continued his academic journey, maintaining the low profile that characterized their relationship. The South African scholar reflected on the challenges of dating one of the world's most recognizable actresses while pursuing his own ambitions.
"We were just two students figuring life out," he recalled, emphasizing the normal university experience they shared despite Watson's extraordinary circumstances.
The interview provides a rare glimpse into Watson's personal life during her Oxford years, showcasing how she balanced academic pursuits with her acting career while navigating romantic relationships away from public scrutiny.
