Top 10 Things you didn't Know About Emma Watson

Few actors can boast a more high-profile debut than Emma, who achieved instant fame by playing Hermione in the “Harry Potter” films. While some of the young cast – including Daniel Radcliffe – had already bagged a big screen role or two before heading to Hogwarts, the first Potter flick was Watson’s first acting job. J. K. Rowling is said to have thought that Emma was perfect for the role of Hermione from the get go but, just like everyone else, the aspiring actress went through eight auditions before finally landing the part.

As difficult as it is to imagine anyone other than Emma playing Hermione Granger, she very nearly walked away from the role mid-series. Following the fourth Potter picture, “The Goblet of Fire”, Emma reportedly felt as though she couldn’t commit to filming for a further four movies. At the time, the actress had wanted to concentrate on other things, namely her education. But, Warner Bros. clearly knew how important Watson was within the franchise, and the studio adapted the Potter shoots to be more accommodating of her needs. Ultimately, Emma signed on for the rest of the films – much to everyone’s relief.

Their characters didn’t get on particularly well on-screen, but Emma’s longstanding crush on Tom Felton became a constant talking point behind the scenes of the Potter movies – apparently. Felton, who played Hogwarts hoodlum Draco Malfoy, supposedly caught Emma’s eye because he was a ‘cool guy’ who ‘could skateboard’. All in, it proves just how convincing Emma’s acting really is. Throughout the films, Hermione and Draco are best of enemies – and no-one’s forgetting the “Prisoner of Azkaban” punch scene in a hurry.

In 2014, Emma was invited to the Academy Awards to present an Oscar. She graced the red carpet, made her mark on the ceremony, and everything seemed to be going to plan. But then, she returned to her hotel to get ready for a prestigious after-party… And fell asleep. When she finally awoke, instead of hurriedly heading off to the glitzy event, she reportedly spent the evening relaxing and eating pizza. Hey, let’s be honest, who hasn’t ditched a night out in favour of bed and junk food? It’s just not many of us get to say know to the Oscars.

Born in Oxford, Sophie Sumner is a former runner-up on “Britain’s Next Top Model” and a previous winner of “America’sNext Top Model” – taking top spot in 2012. She’s also really close friends with Emma Watson. Having met at school in Oxford, the pair were even roommates at one point… and despite Emma spending lots of time on sets all around the world, and Sophie going on to pursue a modelling career, their paths haven’t strayed too far from one another, and they’re still good pals. Clearly, there are few celeb friendships quite as fashionable as this one.

Since finishing with the Harry Potter films, Emma has emerged as a leading feminist and role model for women all over the world. Not only has she been appointed the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, but she also founded the solidarity campaign, HeForShe. The initiative calls for all genders to support equality, focussing primarily on encouraging men to support a feminist movement that’s all-too-often considered as a women-only effort. The footage of her speaking in front of the UN in 2014 has been widely circulated, but Emma’s efforts are an around-the-clock endeavour.

Given that it’s one of the most famous fashion magazines in the world, a Vogue cover shoot is quite the feather in the cap for any aspiring actor, model or twenty-first century celebrity. And Emma quickly achieved her first brush with the brand, featuring on the cover of Teen Vogue in 2007. An edition of the mag for younger readers, it was launched in 2003. But few cover stars attracted quite so much attention as Emma. At the time, she was the youngest person to ever appear on the front page – and her Vogue career has gone from strength to strength ever since.

Sure, she started her acting life as part of one of the UK’s most successful ever film franchises, but Emma’s actually a Parisian by birth. She lived there with her parents until she was 5-years-old before moving back to London. The actress has even revealed in interviews that she still speaks a little bit of French, although not quite as well as she used to. Her Paris links perhaps served her well for her role as Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”, though. The original Disney animation was set in 19th century France, and the original tale was written by the French writer, Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve,

Before her part in “Beauty and the Beast” ever came to be, however, Emma was considered for another live action Disney princess role; Cinderella. Of course, Lily James was eventually cast in the 2015 retelling, after Watson was reportedly approached for the part but turned it down. According to the actress, the prospect of playing Belle – which came a couple of years later – offered her the chance to play a character who she saw as a great role model. Presumably, she just didn’t feel the same about Cinders…

Emma has always been open about her eagerness to pursue other things (besides acting). An alumnus of Brown University, she’s already got some pretty impressive formal qualifications behind her. But, did you know she’s also a certified yoga and meditation instructor? As part of her training, Emma travelled to Canada for a week-long meditation course, where she didn’t speak for her entire stay. The performer often lists it as an especially valuable experience… And now she’s able to pass on her expertise to others. So, if you ever want to give yoga a try, you know who to call.