Let's Give Emma Watson A Chance

I am currently listening to the new trailer for "Beauty and the Beast" as I type this... Emma Watson's voice is blaring through my speakers and there are two thoughts flowing through my mind. The first is how excited I am for her and how I'm even more excited to finally see this movie. The second is that she sounds pretty auto-tuned... And by pretty, I mean highly.

Now, let me preface this by saying that she might not be... But if I go with the gut of my ears, she's been quite tuned. Maybe it's only for the trailer. Maybe it's only for the one song. Or maybe it will be like this for every word she sings in the movie. Perhaps, it will be like that for everyone in the movie. The point is that we don't know.

The live-action "Beauty and the Beast" has been the talk for months on end. I have yet to meet one person who isn't looking forward to the premiere. For me personally, I love Emma Watson and she's a big part as to why I'm waiting to buy my midnight ticket. And because I love Emma Watson so much, I will be the first to tell anyone that she is not a trained singer. I am not aloof to this fact. And when I found out that she was going to play Belle, my thought immediately after the joy was, "Oh no. People are going to critique and judge her hard."

And I was right. I have listened in on countless conversations and read numerous comments about how Emma Watson should not play Belle in the film. Every argument from "She doesn't fit the part" to "She's not a talented actress" have crossed my path. To those comments, I only chuckle. Have you seen Emma Watson? She fits the damn part. As for her not having any talent? That's your opinion but I simply disagree. The one argument I don't appreciate and feel the need to speak (or write) out is when people talk about how a trained theater singer should have been cast over her.

Let it be said now that I am not an actress, singer, or dancer. I work in a theater on Broadway and through my friends and co-workers, I have grown to appreciate theater and certain names, big or small, in this specific medium of art.

Now that we have that out of the way, I will say that if they were going to revive "Beauty and the Beast" this year for the stage and they cast Emma Watson, I would understand the argument more because that's literally theater. But we're talking about a movie. And Emma is a film actress. Someone might ask, "Aren't there people out there who do it all?" Yes. But maybe those people wouldn't be right as Belle, maybe those people didn't have any interest in the movie, or maybe Emma is going to blow all our minds when the movie actually comes out and that's why she landed the role in the first place. Who knows?

I know that there are people out there in theater who absolutely love when a theater performer gets cast in a television show or movie. "That's so amazing for them!" "Look at them exploring new things!" Everyone throws their hands up and celebrates and they should! We are artists and artists should support each other. So why can a theater actor try their hand at film but a film actor can't take singing lessons and try a musical? Especially a musical that's a movie.

And please don't come out saying, "But there are so many unknown actors and singers out there." I don't need to hear that. Of course, there are. There are probably thousands. Just like there are thousands of unknown writers (viciously raises hand) out there. That doesn't mean I'm going to get angry when a well-known celebrity publishes a book before I do.

Publishers, filmmakers, theater directors, etc. are going to see the advantage to a big name. Do I find it slightly frustrating when I see that the Jenner sisters are publishing a second book? Yes! But I'm not going to waste my energy freaking out about it. Instead, I'm going to focus on my own writing, my own art... And work my ass off until I'm in the place I want to be. Does it suck that hundreds of women out there may look and sound exactly like Belle but never had a chance at the role? Sure. Is it surprising? No. Do I wish it could be different? Do I wish big companies took more chances on the unknown? Yeah, it would definitely be nice. But spreading negativity isn't going to change it.

The bottom line is this: Emma Watson is Belle whether you like it or not. Maybe I'll walk out of that movie regretting this article because she'll be awful (highly doubtful) but until then, I am not going to go around spitting out hate. There's enough ugly in this world already. I look to every form of art because it brings the color, happiness, and love that the human soul needs. So let's please give Emma Watson a chance. She's not a lazy actress. She trained for this role. She worked hard. And I'm sure she tried her best and gave it her all.

And I think anyone who puts in the dedication, time, and work, deserves to be seen with an open mind and an open heart.