Emma Watson, who rose to fame as Hermione Granger in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise, has candidly discussed how her time working on the iconic series influenced her perspective on the Hollywood industry. During a recent appearance on the ‘On Purpose’ podcast, hosted by Jay Shetty, the 35-year-old actress opened up about the challenges she faced after completing the eight films in the franchise. She explained that her experience on the set created unrealistic expectations for other film projects, leading to a difficult transition. Watson described her time on the Harry Potter set as a supportive community, which she brought to subsequent film projects, only to find herself out of sync with the competitive and often isolating nature of other sets. She admitted to feeling ‘broke’ by Hollywood’s environment, which she found a stark contrast to the close-knit camaraderie of the Harry Potter set.
The actress, who played Hermione from age 11 to 21, has since moved on to other projects, including ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower,’ but ultimately stepped away from acting after her role in the 2019 adaptation of ‘Little Women.’ Watson described the promotional aspects of Hollywood as soul-destroying, emphasizing that the balance of work and promotion can be overwhelming. Despite the challenges, she expressed pride in her vulnerability and the ability to maintain her humanity in the face of industry pressures.
Watson also spoke about her experience as a child star in a recent interview with ‘People,’ admitting that while she ‘won the lottery’ in her acting career, there were aspects she couldn’t reconcile with. After the Harry Potter series ended, she starred in several successful films, but the experience of stepping away from acting was deeply personal. In a revealing moment during a ‘Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts’ special, Watson’s co-star, Rupert Grint, shared that she was considering leaving the franchise after filming the fourth film. Watson admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the immediate fame she experienced, questioning whether the spotlight had become a ‘forever’ burden. Her candid reflections underscore the emotional and psychological toll of transitioning from a highly supportive set to the often alienating world of Hollywood.