At a young age of 25, Emma Watson already has an impressive resume with 17 films, two fashion campaigns, and a position as a UN Ambassador. It’s quite remarkable considering her age. The Harry Potter actress has become a household name, known for her iconic style and advocacy for women’s rights. She has definitely evolved from her days as Hermione Granger with her frizzy hair.
Emma Watson celebrates her 25th birthday, marking a milestone in a career that many can only dream of achieving. From her iconic role as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter to becoming a feminist symbol, Emma has become a global icon over the past 14 years. In 2001, at just 11 years old, she captured the world’s attention with her portrayal of the intelligent and loyal Hermione in the blockbuster film Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone. Alongside co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint, Emma rose to stardom as the film adaptation of JK Rowling’s book grossed $317 million worldwide.
Emma’s professional journey took off when she secured the role of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, starring opposite Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint as Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, respectively.
Emma was a young 11-year-old when she first appeared in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Here, she is captured at her very first movie premiere looking eager and excited.
In 2002, the second film in the series, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, was released. This time, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley had to venture on their own as Hermione, played by Emma, is turned to stone by a menacing Basilisk.
Some critics were quick to point out that the director Chris Columbus didn’t fully showcase Emma’s acting abilities in the film.
Following her appearance in the second Harry Potter film, critics accused the director of not giving Emma enough screen time.
In the third Harry Potter movie, Emma’s character Hermione played a vital role in helping Harry save Hogwarts and even traveled back in time. She gained praise for her strong portrayal of a female character, especially when she punched Draco Malfoy. Actor Tom Felton even called the punch “hardcore”. Additionally, her iconic frizzy hair was tamed a bit in this film.
In 2005, with the release of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, Emma started to be seen as an individual in her own right. She received a Bronze Otto Award for her acting skills and made waves with her stunning Yule Ball costume, which got her a cover feature in Teen Vogue magazine.
Hermione plays a significantly more significant part in Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban.
Emma captured the attention and admiration of numerous young men when she blossomed from a girl into a young woman at the enchanting Yule Ball in the magical world of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Emma, known as a captivating actress on screen, was still exploring her fashion sense in the years 2005 and 2007. In the fifth Harry Potter film, her worth began to be recognized, with estimated earnings of £10m. This was also the year when she expanded her acting roles, starring in the BBC’s adaptation of Ballet Shoes. Despite her success, Emma contemplated leaving the Harry Potter series in 2007. At just nine years old, she was presented with a contract extension but felt her life was becoming too controlled. Feeling like she had lost autonomy over her own schedule, she eventually decided to renew her contract with Warner Brothers at the age of 16 for another five years.
In 2007, Emma sported a new bleach blonde hair color after her role in the fifth installment of the Potter film series.
In 2008, Emma Watson took on her first non-Harry Potter role in the BBC adaptation of Ballet Shoes at the age of 16.
The following year, in 2009, Emma lent her voice to the character Princess Pea in the animated film The Tale Of Desperaux, marking her debut in the world of animated films.
By March 2009, Emma had made a name for herself by landing in sixth place on the Forbes list of the Most Valuable Young Stars. At just 19 years old, she was also recognized as Hollywood’s highest-paid female star, having earned an estimated £19m at a young age.
Emma and her brother Alex were featured prominently in the Burberry campaign of 2009, showcasing their style and presence.
In 2009, Emma ventured into the world of modelling with her debut campaign for Burberry, sharing the spotlight with her brother Alex. The following year, she graced the brand’s AW10 campaign as well. Juggling her new modelling career with her studies at Brown University in the USA, Emma eventually decided to leave university to focus on filming “Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince,” released in the same year.
The year 2010 marked a significant moment in the Harry Potter series, as the trio of main characters left the familiar grounds of Hogwarts in “Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1.” The decision to split the film into two parts was made for financial reasons, leading fans on a thrilling journey towards the grand finale of the iconic saga.
Emma quickly established herself as a fixture at fashion week, effortlessly securing a coveted spot in the front row and mingling with celebrities. One memorable snapshot captured Emma at the Burberry SS10 show alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and Mario Testino.
Emma captured the attention of the media with her fresh new cropped haircut at the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, a stark departure from Hermione’s signature bushy waves.
Having delved into the world of fashion as a Burberry model, Emma graced the catwalks of various Fashion Week events. She notably sat front row at the Burberry show in London alongside Gwyneth Platrow and renowned Vogue photographer Mario Testino.
At the World Premiere of Harry Potter, Emma made a statement by unveiling her chic cropped haircut, signaling her intention to break away from the character of Hermione.
In 2011, Emma bid farewell to Hermione Granger as the final film, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2, hit the screens. Despite her past criticisms of the franchise, Emma was overcome with emotion at the world premiere, marking the conclusion of a decade-long filming journey.
In 2011, the last Harry Potter movie was released, and Emma was brought to tears by the emotional world premiere.
Emma rose to prominence in the fashion world after being honored with the Style Icon title at the Elle Style Awards. Following her departure from the Harry Potter series, Emma embraced a new role as Lucy, a wardrobe assistant in My Week With Marilyn. Her impeccable sense of style was once again celebrated when she received the Style Icon award at the prestigious ELLE Style Awards. Emma later resumed her studies at Oxford University but had to temporarily pause them in order to focus on filming commitments.
After her time in the Harry Potter series, she took on a new role opposite Eddie Redmayne in the film My Week With Marilyn.
In 2012, Emma decided to leave behind her British charm by adopting an American accent to embody the role of Sam, a stylish high school student in The Perks Of Being A Wallflower.
In 2012, Emma surprised fans by taking on a new role in the movie The Perks Of Being A Wallflower as Sam, breaking away from her traditional English schoolgirl image by speaking with an American accent, based on the novel by Stephen Chbosky.
The following year, Emma continued to challenge expectations by portraying the rebellious character Nikki in The Bling Ring. This role depicted the true story of teenagers in Los Angeles who engaged in illegal activities by robbing the homes of famous Hollywood celebrities while indulging in underage drinking and drug use.
In a quirky twist, Emma made a cameo appearance in a post-apocalyptic film alongside Seth Rogan and James Franco, where she humorously exaggerated a fictionalized version of herself and famously used a strong profanity, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
In 2013, Emma transitioned from a British school girl to a Hollywood socialite in her role in The Bling Ring. The following year, she showcased not only her beauty but her intelligence by graduating from Brown University with a degree in English Literature, which she had started five years earlier. Emma also took on the role of Ila in Noah, playing the girlfriend of Noah’s son in the movie alongside Russell Crowe and Douglas Booth. However, her most lauded accomplishment in 2014 was becoming a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Women.
In the beginning of 2014, Emma graduated from Brown University with a degree in English Literature. Her speech in New York caused a stir globally and set the stage for her to carry on her duties as an ambassador. The actress, hailing from Paris, introduced HeForShe, a movement that aligns with the core beliefs of feminism by advocating for equal rights and opportunities for both men and women. This initiative steers away from highlighting male oppression and, instead, focuses on fostering gender equality in all aspects of life. Emma even extended a formal invitation to men who may have previously felt disconnected from such movements to actively participate in eradicating gender disparities.
Emma received praise from feminists for her efforts in advocating for gender equality through the HeForShe campaign, which she led in her role as the UN Goodwill Ambassador for women.
She spoke at the United Nations in New York, advocating for the support of men in promoting women’s rights rather than oppressing males.
Her campaign gained popularity among celebrities like Simon Pegg and Joseph Gordon Levitt, shining a spotlight on her beyond her iconic portrayal of Hermione.
In the year 2015, Emma Watson has a full schedule ahead. In September, her latest film Colonia, where she portrays a woman searching for her kidnapped boyfriend in 1970s Chile, will be released.
She will also start filming what could be her most enchanting role yet – playing Belle in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Beauty And The Beast.