Emma Watson Talks Being Single, Mental Health, and Feminism2 min read

Emma Watson revealed that she is “self-partnered” in an interview with British Vogue for their December issue.

Watson said that she battled anxiety over getting married, having a baby, and settling into a more secure place in her career. Watson, who is approaching 30, said, “It took me a long time, but I’m very happy. I call it being self-partnered.”

People immediately latched onto the new term. Responses varied from positive articles released about other celebrities who are also enjoying singledom, to Piers Morgan claiming on Good Morning Britain: “Self-partnering means you can’t get a bloke right?”. Some people even joked about it, with one user saying “Emma Watson having a lovers’ quarrel” followed by an image of her looking in the mirror.

Women, particularly women in the spotlight, are often expected to be settled down by their mid-30s. In the case of female celebrities, their relationship status is often over analyzed by the media. Just this past year, it was rumoured that Watson was dating former Harry Potter co-star Tom Felton.

Moreover, women in the spotlight are expected to love their jobs, to love the spotlight, an issue that Watson addressed in her Vogue interview.

Watson revealed that she often feels anxious while walking down the street due to her level of celebrity. She also revealed that Halloween is her favourite holiday because she can “be anybody”.

Women everywhere were empowered by Watson’s portion of the interview about self-doubt and singleness. Actress Sage Israel stated that “Self-partnered means you’re happy whether things work out with a partner or not, in terms of marriage and a family.”

People also criticized how the term “self-partnered” was the main takeaway from the interview, such as one Twitter user who said, “Wow that Emma Watson “self-partnered” thing really was a throwaway comment in an interview where she talked about colonialism, mental health, feminism, and trans kids.”

Watson is starring in Little Women (2019), and one of the best things about being on set is spending time with fellow actor-activists.

“What was really nice about working with Laura Dern and Meryl Streep was that (…) we met in activist spaces, so we had this allyship and solidarity as activists that had been part of a certain movement.”

Watson also discussed white feminism, British colonialism, and the rights of transgender people. She describes the learning process that pushed her toward self-correction: “What I’ve learnt, who I’ve read, why I’ve been told to read it, who’s been included, who hasn’t, whose voices are missing – it was an awakening.”

Give the interview a watch here.

Image by Molly Belle or Unsplash.com.