Thank You, Emma Watson!

...Now how about that Emma Watson? She played this adorable, highly intelligent, brave & strong-willed character in the Harry Potter series–the beloved Hermione Granger.  What a cute kid she was! And then she started getting older, turning into a beautiful and poised young lady not only onscreen but off.  But, as childhood actors go, the track record for well adjusted adults, isn’t very positive.  I’m not going to mention names, but there are a slew of kids who just didn’t quite make it into adulthood without a scandal or two under their belt. And some just never seem to rise above their problems. What path did Emma take?... Click to read whole post! 

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My household is a committed and enthusiastic fan of Harry Potter and the Wizarding World. These include a great reverence & respect for the author of the series of books, J.K. Rowling,  and the actors who portrayed the characters in the movies.  With the the progression of the 8 movies, we have literally seen the actors grow older right before our eyes–some years more awkward than others.  Just the other day, it was announced that one of the actors, Tom Felton, who portrayed the malevolent Draco Malfoy (and famously of the Slytherin House), signed up on the very popular Pottermore website & was assigned into the Gryffindor house. The actor feigned disappointment on his Twitter and claimed a forever kinship with the House he belonged in as his infamous character.  What a cute moment & my boys got a kick out of it–actors and their characters collide–pretty awesome.

Now how about that Emma Watson? She played this adorable, highly intelligent, brave & strong-willed character in the Harry Potter series–the beloved Hermione Granger.  What a cute kid she was! And then she started getting older, turning into a beautiful and poised young lady not only onscreen but off.  But, as childhood actors go, the track record for well adjusted adults, isn’t very positive.  I’m not going to mention names, but there are a slew of kids who just didn’t quite make it into adulthood without a scandal or two under their belt. And some just never seem to rise above their problems. What path did Emma take?  Well, she continued with her acting career, having several movies under her belt and becoming a fashion and style icon in her own right.  She also took a path towards higher education and eventually graduated from Brown University with a B.A. Degree in English Lit.

 And she is a tireless activist for human rights. Please, do yourself a service & listen to Emma’s HeForShe Speech. She eloquently and powerfully represents the fight for gender equality, and as a fellow female, I have to say, I stand with her.  As a fan of her talents and career, I feel pride for the adult she has become.  She is a celebrity I can proudly tell my kids about–and it makes it easier because they are already fans. Emma Watson is a role model that my boys can and should look up to. The fact that she also happens to be female is a delicious icing on the cake.  So, yes, Emma Watson, I’m thankful for you. Keep up the good work on & offscreen.

And along the same lines of Emma’s work towards gender equality, I just want to say I throw my support for the Always #LikeAGirl campaign. Here is the powerful commercial empowering the phrase “Like a Girl”. It is not an insult. It just means what it means.  And girls & boys (I’m proud to say I’ve shown my sons and hope it resonates in their hearts & minds) should see it & if they have one set of preconceived notions, maybe this may positively change it.

 And congratulations to Emma Watson on her latest project (and a highly talked about topic on the internet) as Belle in an upcoming live action Beauty and the Beast movie. Very fitting role–because she is such a beauty–inside and out.

Here is Emma's HeForShe speech:


Here is the #LikeAGirl campaign video: