Emma Watson: On Why She’s Taking A Year Long Break From Acting

Emma Watson has made her mark on the entertainment industry due to her memorable performances in the Harry Potter film franchise and has continued taking on roles that are meaningful and capitalize on her fantastic onscreen talent. The beauty has also become a fresh face and advocate for feminism and has made it known that for a year she is putting her love of acting aside to learn more about the feminist movement.

During a chat with feminist author Bell Hooks, Watson shared her intentions to learn more about the empowerment of women.

“I’m taking a year from acting to focus on two things, really. My own personal development is one. My own personal task is to read a book a week, and also to read a book a month as part of my book club. I’m doing a huge amount of reading and study just on my own.”

The 25-year-old star shared that she had intended to enroll in gender study classes but then opted to instead learn more about the subject by way of her own experience and actions. People continues to relay the star’s words that she spoke during her interview with Paper Magazine.

“I almost thought about going and doing a year of gender studies. Then I realized that I was learning so much by being on the ground and just speaking with people and doing my reading. I actually wanted to keep on the path that I’m on. I’m reading a lot this year, and I want to do a lot of listening.”

Watson also involves herself in many feminist-focused activities aside from her own self-study. The star became an ambassador for the UN in 2014, when she launched the HeForShe Campaign, which encourages young men and boys to help put a stop to gender inequality.

Watson commented on her additional endeavors.

“I’m on my journey with this and it might change, but I can tell you that what is really liberating and empowering me through being involved in feminism is that so much of the self-critiquing is gone.”

Emma has also made it known that she’s starting her own book club, Our Shared Self. The book club is feminist-based and the books explore the subject of feminism. Watson shared the basis of the club during her interview.

Ahead of the star fully taking a step back from acting, she will first “appear alongside Star Wars actor John Boyega in The Circle, and as Belle in Disney’s live-action production of Beauty and the Beast.”

Additionally, on the point of the star changing up the focus of her professional life, her personal life has been a bit of a topic of conversations lately after Emma has recently been spotted out with a handsome young man. Emma has been seen getting close to William “Mack” Knight on numerous occasions over the past few months, which has sparked rumors of a relationship between the two that is seemingly being kept secret. The star has yet to verify a relationship with her companion, but the duo certainly make an adorable couple.

Movie News Guide shares the details of the first sighting of the potential couple and the ongoing romantic getaways that have led to the rumors of their relationship.

“Watson, 25, and Knight, 35, were first spotted during New Year celebrations at her home in Oxford. Since then the duo has been making headlines for their romantic getaways. If the reports are to be believed, then the couple spent £7,000 on a weeklong romantic getaway at luxurious resort, Post Ranch Inn located at Big Sur, California. However, Watson and Knight have not confirmed anything on their relationship officially.”

[Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images]