Emma Watson Revealed Why She Had to Stop Acting

Emma Watson hasn’t acted since 2019. Now, she’s finally opening up about what made her take an indefinite break from the big screen. In an interview, the Harry Potter star got candid and explained the decision that left many fans brokenhearted.

She put her mental health first.

It’s been 4 years since the world has last seen Emma Watson star in a new movie. Before then, the actress had been on-screen almost every year without fail since making her worldwide debut in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001). Unfortunately, it seems that this took its toll on her.

In a recent interview, Watson admitted that she chose to stop acting because it didn’t bring her any joy anymore. “I wasn’t very happy, if I’m being honest,” she said. “I think I felt a bit caged.”

She reflected further on the negative impact the job was having on her. “The thing I found really hard was that I had to go out and sell something that I really didn’t have very much control over,” Watson acknowledged. “I was held accountable in a way that I began to find really frustrating because I didn’t have a voice, I didn’t have a say.”

Watson gave a clear answer when asked whether she would return to acting. “Yes, absolutely,” she replied. However, she isn’t in a hurry to do so. “I’m happy to sit and wait for the next right thing. I love what I do. It’s finding a way to do it where I don’t have to fracture myself into different faces and people. And I just don’t want to switch into robot mode anymore,” she said.

This isn’t a one-time case. Other Hollywood stars have taken acting breaks for one reason or another. For Jennifer Lawrence, stepping back from acting was crucial for her growth, and she also didn’t hold back when explaining why.