Emma Watson on Feminism: 'All We're Here to Do Is Give You A Choice'

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 29 October 14

Even if your arms are getting sore from giving round after round of applause to Emma Watson, don't stop just yet.

For the December issue of ELLE UK—the magazine's inaugural feminism issue—editor in chief Lorraine Candy interviewed the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, who continues to be endearing, levelheaded, and an excellent representative of feminists everywhere.

"I was very nervous," the 24-year-old said of delivering thespeech heard 'round the world. "It wasn't an easy thing for me to do. It felt like: 'Am I going to have lunch with these people, or am I going to be eaten? Am I the lunch?'" (The sign of a consummate professional: You can't tell she's got stage fright at all!)

The actress-activist also provided another explanation of feminism that's just as bang-on as the previous one re: man-hating.

"Feminism is not here to dictate to you," she said. "It's not prescriptive, it's not dogmatic. All we are here to do is give you a choice. If you want to run for president, you can. If you don't, that's wonderful too."

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Chelsea Peng

I'm Chelsea Peng, the assistant editor at MarieClaire.com. On my tombstone, I would like a GIF of me that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, I'm into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard I have to go lie down.