Having starred in 17 movies, posed for two high-profile fashion campaigns, and serving as a UN Ambassador, it’s astonishing to think that Emma Watson is only 25 years old. The former Harry Potter actress marked her 25th birthday yesterday, cementing her status as one of the most recognizable celebrities globally. Emma is celebrated not only for her impeccable style but also for her significant contributions to women’s rights activism. She has certainly come a long way from her days as Harry Potter’s loyal sidekick with her signature frizzy hair.

Emma Watson celebrates her 25th birthday, already boasting a successful career that many aspire to achieve. However, how did the actress transition from playing Hermione Granger to becoming a feminist role model? Let’s take a look at her journey in the spotlight over the past 14 years that has solidified her as a global icon.
In 2001, Emma shot to fame after landing the role of Hermione Granger in the popular film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone.” At just 11 years old, she portrayed the bookish and loyal character alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint. The film’s success, grossing $317 million worldwide, catapulted her to international stardom.

Emma kickstarted her career by nabbing the role of Hermione Granger, starring opposite Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley in the iconic Harry Potter series.

At the young age of 11, Emma began her journey in the film industry by starring in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. In this photo, she appears full of excitement at her very first movie premiere. In 2002, the sequel, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, hit the screens. In this film, Hermione is temporarily out of commission after encountering the deadly Basilisk, leaving Harry and Ron to fend for themselves. Some critics believed that Emma’s acting skills were not fully utilized by director Chris Columbus in this installment.

In the second Harry Potter movie, critics were quick to point out that Emma’s role as Hermione was downplayed by the director.
However, in the third film, Hermione became a key player in helping Harry restore peace at Hogwarts, even going back in time to do so. Emma received praise for her strong portrayal of a powerful female character, especially when she famously punched Draco Malfoy in a scene described by Tom Felton as “hardcore”.
Her iconic frizzy hair also underwent a transformation in the film, appearing softer and more groomed.
When Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire came out in 2005, Emma’s individuality as an actress shone through. She was even honored with a Bronze Otto Award for her performance and graced the cover of Teen Vogue after her stunning appearance at the Yule Ball.

In Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban, Hermione steps up and plays a more significant part in the story.

Emma stole the attention of numerous teenage boys when she underwent a stunning transformation into a sophisticated woman at the Yule Ball in the fourth installment of the Harry Potter series, The Goblet Of Fire.

In 2007, despite being a well-known actress, Emma Watson was still exploring her fashion sense. In the fifth installment of the Harry Potter series, her earnings were estimated to be around £10m, showing her growing value in the industry.

That year, Emma took on a new challenge by starring in the BBC adaptation of Ballet Shoes. This marked a departure from her role as Hermione Granger and showcased her versatility as an actress. However, it was also during this time that she contemplated leaving the Harry Potter franchise.

Emma felt overwhelmed by the lack of control in her life, with her schedule and decisions being dictated to her. At just 16 years old, she had to make a tough decision about renewing her contract with Warner Brothers, ultimately deciding to sign on for another five years.

Emma’s hair lightened to a bleach blonde shade in 2007 after she starred in the fifth installment of the Potter movie series.

In 2008, Emma Watson was cast in her first non-Harry Potter role in the BBC adaptation of Ballet Shoes at the age of 16.

The following year, in 2009, Emma lent her voice to the character of Princess Pea in the animated film The Tale Of Desperaux. This marked her first venture into the world of animated films.

By March 2009, Emma had achieved significant recognition in the entertainment industry, ranking sixth on the Forbes list of Most Valuable Young Stars. Furthermore, at just 19 years old, she was named Hollywood’s highest-paid female star, reportedly earning around £19 million.

Emma and her brother Alex were the stars of the show in the Burberry campaign back in 2009.

In 2009, Emma ventured into the world of modelling by taking on her first job, starring in Burberry’s AW09 campaign alongside her brother. The following year, she graced the brand’s imagery once again for the AW10 campaign. Despite her busy schedule, Emma also started her degree at Brown University but decided to put her studies on hold to focus on filming Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince, which was released that same year.

In 2010, as the penultimate installment of the Harry Potter series was released, Emma and her co-stars stepped out of the familiar Hogwarts setting for the first time in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1. The decision to split the film into two parts was made for financial reasons.

Emma started attending fashion week frequently, sitting in the front row and mingling with celebrities. In this photo, she is seen at the Burberry SS10 show alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and Mario Testino.

Emma made a bold statement when she showed off her new cropped haircut at the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, a departure from Hermione’s iconic bushy mane.

After gaining experience in the fashion world as a Burberry model, Emma graced the catwalks of numerous Fashion Week shows. She even snagged a front row seat at the Burberry show in London alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and renowned Vogue photographer Mario Testino.

At the world premiere of Harry Potter, Emma made it clear that she was ready to move on from her role as Hermione by debuting her stylish cropped haircut.

In 2011, Emma bid farewell to Hermione Granger with the release of the final film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Despite any previous complaints she may have had about the movies, Emma was emotional as she said goodbye to the beloved character that she had portrayed for a decade.

In 2011, the last Harry Potter movie was released, and Emma was so moved that she was brought to tears during the worldwide premiere.

Emma’s status as a rising star in the fashion world was solidified when she was honored with the Style Icon award at the prestigious Elle Style Awards. Following her departure from the world of Harry Potter, Emma seamlessly transitioned into a new role as Lucy, a wardrobe assistant in the film My Week With Marilyn. Not only did she impress audiences on screen, but Emma also continued to impress with her impeccable style, earning her another Style Icon award at the ELLE Style Awards. Despite her busy schedule, Emma managed to juggle her acting career with her studies at Oxford University, temporarily putting her education on hold in order to pursue her passion for filmmaking.

Her initial appearance in a post-Harry Potter project was starring alongside Eddie Redmayne in the film My Week With Marilyn.

During the making of The Perks Of Being A Wallflower in 2012, Emma decided to adopt an American accent for her role as Sam, a stylish high school student, and in doing so left behind her English Rose persona.

In 2012, Emma surprised audiences by leaving her famous English schoolgirl image behind and portraying Sam in The Perks Of Being A Wallflower with an American accent. In 2013, she took on a completely different role as Nikki in The Bling Ring, where she played a rebellious character involved in underage drinking and burglary. Emma also made a cameo appearance as a exaggerated version of herself alongside Seth Rogan and James Franco in a post-apocalyptic film, showcasing her flexibility as an actress by using colorful language.

In 2013, Emma underwent a significant transformation in her role as a British school girl turned LA socialite in The Bling Ring. The following year, she demonstrated her intelligence and beauty by obtaining a degree in English Literature from Brown University, which she had been working towards for five years. Emma also took on the character of Ila in Noah, portraying the girlfriend of Noah’s son in a film featuring Russell Crowe and Douglas Booth. However, her most celebrated accomplishment in 2014 was becoming a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Women.

In the early months of 2014, Emma proudly received her English Literature degree from Brown University, marking the beginning of her journey as an ambassador. Her powerful speech in New York captivated audiences worldwide and opened doors for her to further her advocacy work.

The Parisian actress introduced her HeForShe initiative, which aligns with the core values of feminism by advocating for equal rights and opportunities for both men and women in all aspects of life. However, the movement seeks to present these ideals in a new light, moving away from the narrative of male oppression.

Emma made a deliberate effort to extend a welcoming hand to men who may have felt disconnected from the feminist movement, encouraging them to actively participate in the fight against gender inequality.

Feminists praised Emma for her work in launching the HeForShe campaign as part of her role as the UN Goodwill Ambassador for women.

She spoke at the United Nations in New York, emphasizing the importance of men supporting women’s rights instead of oppressing them.

The campaign gained attention from celebrities like Simon Pegg and Joseph Gordon Levitt, shining a spotlight on Emma for more than just her role as Hermione with bushy hair.

In 2015, Emma had a hectic schedule ahead. Her latest film, Colonia, where she portrays a woman searching for her abducted boyfriend in Seventies Chile, is set for release in September.

Additionally, she will be taking on the enchanting role of Belle in Disney’s live-action remake of Beauty And The Beast, marking one of her most magical roles yet.