Link to Feature: http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/emma-watson-1EMMA WATSON INTERVIEWED BY JESSICA CHASTAIN
On growing up in the public eye:
CHASTAIN: Because people grew up watching you become a woman, are you held to certain standards of having to be the same as you always were?
WATSON: I think I am. Its one of the things that I struggle with, because the three of usDan[iel Radcliffe], Rupert [Grint], and Iwere kids when we got cast in this fairy-tale series, and what happened to us was kind of a fantasy story in itself. Outside of the movies. So the story of my life has been of public interest, which is why Ive been so passionate about having a private identity. When I step into a character, people have to be able to suspend their disbelief; they have to be able to divorce me from that girl. And not having everyone know every single intimate detail of my entire life is part of me trying to protect my ability to do my job well.
WATSON: I know that Im under a different microscope, a certain level of scrutiny, which I find really hard at times. And sometimes the fear of doing things is overwhelming. I get incredibly overwhelmed, and sometimes feel hemmed in by that, afraid of that. But I know that if I live in that fear, then my life as an artist, as a human being, really, is over. Ultimately, it will silence me, and it will silence what is in mewhich I have yet to explore and uncover.
On overcoming the fear of expectations:
WATSON: When I was auditioning to play Hermione, I had this fearlessness, because I wasnt aware of anyone else. I just knew I loved that girl and I loved that role and I loved that world, and I went for it. But now I have this other thing to overcome, like in Beauty and the Beast I sang for the first time, and journalists would ask me, Do you think youre going to be able to pull it off? Theres an incredible awareness that I have to push through. The night before I gave my speech at the U.N., I was an emotional wreck. I thought I was going to hyperventilate. [laughs]
On vulnerability:
WATSON: No one likes feeling vulnerable and uncomfortable and weak. But I really have found that its in those moments when I go there that theres a kind of magic.
On being a bad liar:
WATSON: Also, Im the worst liar ever. I remember trying to get into clubs when I was just about to turn 18. Theyd ask my age and my friends were already in the door, it was not even a big dealand I was like, I cant do it. Its terrible. They were like, Youre an actress, whats wrong with you? Get it together, woman! [laughs]
On choosing the right roles:
CHASTAIN: When choosing your roles, do you look at the part with a team? Or is it more instinctual?
WATSON: People sometimes talk about me as being a brand, having a strategy and whatever else. I wish. Seriously. I wish I had it together enough to have a strategy. But its so instinctual. It usually comes down to two things: the person Im working withthe director is really important to meand a line in a script. Theres usually one line that I read and Im like, Okay. I have to say this line. I have to tell this story. Its an instant click. And if there isnt that line, even if the story is great, Im always a bit meh. Whenever Ive gone against my instincts, its been a bit of a disaster.
On being fit to be an actor:
WATSON: Im aware that Im kind of a paradox, and at times a bit ill-suited to my profession. But theres something that brings me back. Theres something in me that feels like I have to do this, that this is what Im meant to be doing. If I didnt feel this way, I wouldnt do it. But its full of contradictions, for sure.
On the effects of technology and social media:
WATSON: I think our fears find us and force us to confront them over and over again. In terms of social media, its a minefield! Technology is moving so fast right now. Everyone is scrambling around trying to understand what it means to have an avatar, how to live our lives on the internet, what it means for privacy, for citizens of a political universe. I think that were trying to find rules now, as we speak, and its difficult. But, like everything, the internet is an incredibly powerful force that needs governingnot to restrict our freedom, but to protect people.
On filming The Circle:
WATSON: Doing this movie, The Circle, made me think about all of this in so much more detail. I read the book first, and I could not stop thinking about it. Its not like a dystopian futureit could be tomorrow. Someone recently said he thought it was The Truman Show meets The Graduate with a dash of Kardashians. And I said I would describe the movie as The Social Network meets All About Eve meets Panic Room. The Social Network because it deals with how technology intersects with basic human needs: to feel loved, to feel seen, to feel a connection, to feel that you belong. All About Eve because it deals with the complexity of the female relationship in a patriarchal world; usually theres only one woman or two women in a boardroom. And Panic Room because its intense.
On being called a role model:
WATSON: When people call me a role model it puts the fear of god into me, because I feel like Im destined to fail.
On what she does to relax:
WATSON: What do I do? I bake. Im pretty competitive about my chocolate chip banana bread. I dont think anyone can believe how good it is. Its really on another level. And I hang out with my cat. I love to travel. I went on safari before I did my tour, which I loved. I love to dance. Im the girl who will get up and dance with zero alcohol in her system. You need give me no excuse. A great song comes on and Im there; its happening.
CHASTAIN: Whats your jam?
WATSON: I like a lot of hip-hop. Everyones always like, Really? You know all the words to this? Im like, Yes, I do. And Beyoncé, Gaga.
