Emma Watson's dating preferences might just leave some Harry Potter enthusiasts feeling a tad let down. Cast as the brainy Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at the tender age of nine back in 1999, the actress recently opened up about the trials and tribulations of dating in the public eye.
Now 35, Watson confessed that she finds solace and authenticity in dating individuals who either don't recognize her or are blissfully unaware of her extensive filmography, which prominently features the beloved Harry Potter series. She explained that being recognized throws her off balance, making her feel as though her digital avatar has unexpectedly walked into the room. "All of a sudden, I'm navigating a completely different conversation," she remarked, highlighting the abrupt shift in dynamics that occurs once her fame is acknowledged.
This sudden transformation, according to the English actress, can be profoundly dehumanizing and unsettling. It's precisely for this reason that she seeks refuge in relationships with those who remain oblivious to her celebrity status, allowing her to be seen and treated as a person rather than a star. "It's funny, occasionally people will apologize to me for not having seen my films," Watson shared during an interview with Jay Shetty on his On Purpose podcast. "And I'll be like, 'Please don't apologize. That is bliss to me.' It's like music to my ears knowing that you're not going to constantly be navigating that whole celebrity angle."
She recalled instances where people have expressed regret for their unfamiliarity with her work, only to be met with her enthusiastic reassurance. "That's happened a few times, where people have been like, 'I'm really sorry.' And I'm like, 'Please don't apologize. I'm so relieved! I'm so incredibly relieved,'" she recounted with a smile.
Watson's illustrious acting career spans all eight Harry Potter films, as well as acclaimed titles such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring, and Beauty and the Beast. Her last major on-screen appearance was six years ago in Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women. Since then, she has chosen to maintain a low profile, largely due to her aversion to the soul-destroying nature of promoting her movies.
