I'm certainly not one to gush over movie stars and other celebrities; there are more important topics to discuss. But with media that’s focused on perfect bodies and contouring, I feel the need to pay tribute to a young lady who stands out from the crowd because she uses her fame for the good of others. Sure, Emma Watson is gorgeous and talented, but at 26 years old, these are just a few other things she’s done:
1. Watson is probably most well-known for playing Hermione in the "Harry Potter" films that produced billions of dollars.
However, she has also acted in many, many other movies, and will star as Belle in Disney’s upcoming "Beauty and the Beast." She has turned down many roles in the past so she could focus on studying and has had strong personal boundaries when filming. “I don’t want other people to decide who I am. I want to decide that for myself.” So far, Watson has earned 19 awards for her work.
2. She graduated from Brown University...
...an Ivy League school, while advancing her career. “I have felt for the last 10 years I have had this battle; I’ve been fighting so hard to have an education. It’s been this uphill struggle. I was Warner Bros’ pain in the butt. I was their scheduling conflict. I was the one who made life difficult.”
3. Watson is a certified yoga instructor.
Thus, she is an advocate for the health of body and mind. “We have unbelievably high expectations of ourselves, when actually we’re human beings and our bodies have a function.”
4. She supports body positivity.
And she does this without putting certain body types down. “There’s nothing interesting about looking perfect – you lose the point.”
5. Watson uses her voice and influence for humanitarian efforts.
She began by taking an interest in education for girls, particularly in less fortunate countries. For first-hand experience, she visited Bangladesh and Zambia and became an ambassador for Camfed International. She designed a line of clothing for underprivileged children in the midst of studying and filming and has given to and participated in many other charities. Now she is the face of the HeForShe campaign. “If you truly pour your heart into what you believe in, even if it makes you vulnerable, amazing things can and will happen.”
6. Watson was appointed as the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador in 2014.
More recently, she gave a speech addressing campus assault and gender inequality. She strongly believes in denouncing the idea that feminism should be linked to man-hating. After defending feminism, she added, “And if you still hate the word, it is not the word that is important. It’s the idea and the ambition behind it, because not all women have received the same rights I have.” She then continued by extending a hand to men and pointing out that they face certain inequalities and stereotypes too.
It's no wonder Watson has been named one of the “100 Most Influential People” by Time Magazine. "Be strong, love, and believe in yourself” – Emma Watson.
