JK Rowling has seemingly shown appreciation for a parody video of the Harry Potter actress, amid ongoing speculation about a rift between them.
If you’re unaware, the Harry Potter author has been at the center of controversy due to her remarks concerning the transgender community over recent years.
The controversy began when JK Rowling expressed disagreement with a 2020 article that described women as ‘people who menstruate.’
More recently, the author supported the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that defines a woman by biological sex.
This decision limits the legal recognition of individuals who were not born biologically female, even if they’ve changed gender with a Gender Recognition Certificate, under the Equality Act 2010.
Stars of the Harry Potter films, including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, publicly voiced their support for trans individuals, seemingly distancing themselves from JK Rowling.
Amid these tensions, Rowling stated she would ‘never forgive’ the actors for supporting a movement she believes undermines women’s rights.
Recently, Watson addressed the rumored dispute five years on, during an appearance on Jay Shetty’s podcast, expressing that while she disagrees with Rowling’s opinions, she still ‘treasures’ her.
The 35-year-old actress mentioned she would be willing to have a conversation with Rowling again.
The interview gained significant attention and became a target for some satirical commentary, notably catching the eye of the 60-year-old author.
In the parody, comedian IntelLady humorously mimicked Watson’s British accent and her position on transgender issues.
Mocking Watson, the comedian remarked: “I will never forget the opportunity that she gave me. I will forever be grateful, she changed the entire trajectory of my life and I’ll never forget that. It’s such a privilege, it truly truly is.”
The parody added: “But also I stand shoulder to shoulder with those who would wish harm on her, hate her and would wish the absolute worst for her in her life, but those seemingly incompatible, those two things can exist at the same time.”
Rowling reacted to the nearly two-minute-long video on Twitter, stating: “I’m already missing @intel_lady’s Angela Rayner, but I’m here for ALL the spoofs,” along with a laughing emoji.
This mockery comes as Watson expressed on the podcast: “I really don’t believe that by having had that experience and holding the love and support and views that I have, mean that I can’t and don’t treasure Jo and the person that I had personal experiences with.
“I will never believe that one negates the other and that my experience of that person, I don’t get to keep and cherish.
“To come back to our earlier thing – I just don’t think these things are either/or.”
She further mentioned: “I think it’s my deepest wish that I hope people who don’t agree with my opinion will love me, and I hope I can keep loving people who I don’t necessarily share the same opinion with.”