JK Rowling has opened up about why she won't forgive Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Roberts after their response to some of her divisive comments.
The billionaire author, 59, has long been at the center of heated debates over gender identity.
Back in 2020, the Harry Potter creator published an essay on sexual assault, in which she called transgender identity "deeply misogynistic and regressive."
In June she shared a link to an article called Opinion: Creating a more equal post-Covid-19 world for people who menstruate, commenting: "'People who menstruate’. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"
She then claimed that if "sex isn't real", then "same-sex attraction" would not exist and "the lived reality of women globally is erased".
Her divisive comments led to her being accused of transphobia, which she denied, reponding that she respected "every trans person's right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them", and be free of discrimination.
Rowling added at the time: "I feel nothing but empathy and solidarity with trans women who’ve been abused by men," but added that she doesn't agree with trans women using the same spaces such as bathroom as it "opens the door to any and all men who wish to come inside".
Rowling's comments were quickly condemed by Radcliffe, Watson, and their co-star Rupert Grint, who are all vocal advocates for trans rights.
Radcliffe quickly distanced himself from the author, writing in an essay for The Trevor Project: "Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people."
He added: "It's clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities," and apologised for the "pain" Rowling's comments had caused the trans community, and hoped it wouldn't "taint" the memories of the Harry Potter franchise for fans.
Watson also voiced support for trans rights, telling her followers: "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned."
She added: "I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are."
Grint also wrote: "I firmly stand with the trans community... Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment."
Rowling later fired back in 2024, saying she was unlikely to forgive Radcliffe or Watson, accusing them of "cozying up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights."
She also appeared to take aim at the three stars in another post, responding to a social media post that asked: "What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?"
Rowling replied: "Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible," followed by three laughing emojis.
While she didn’t name names, many interpreted the comment as a thinly veiled jab at Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint.
Radcliffe had also told The Atlantic that Rowling's views on transgender issues make him "really sad", explaining: "It makes me really sad, ultimately, because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.
"Jo, obviously Harry Potter would not have happened without her, so nothing in my life would have probably happened the way it is without that person.
"But that doesn’t mean that you owe the things you truly believe to someone else for your entire life."