When she first caught our eye in her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies, we had no idea that Emma Watson would grow up to be a powerhouse.
Since her time as a child actor, she has grown into a true role model for young women around the world. Here are the top 10 reasons we love her.
She can act (not just as a young witch).
Emma has taken on the big screen multiple times since Harry Potter. Her starring roles in a variety of genres have challenged her in many ways from gaining an American accent for The Perks of Being a Wallflower to voice acting for the animated film The Tale of Desperaux.
She was a child actor that didn’t go crazy.
All too often, actors that are exposed to the spotlight early in life end up turning to drugs, alcohol or another vice when they become a young adult. However, Emma stayed on the right track, continuing her career and getting involved in philanthropic and educational endeavors.
She’s a UN Goodwill Ambassador.
Emma was appointed as a UN Goodwill Ambassador in July 2014, and has used her position to empower young women. She has also used her position to help launch and advocate the HeForShe campaign, which is designed to promote gender equality.
She’s a feminist.
Even before she became a Goodwill Ambassador, Emma stood up for women’s rights, and her campaign has gained lots of momentum thanks to the HeForShe campaign. In September, she gave a memorable speech about gender equality, which has sparked movements around the country.
She’s smart.
Though she was gaining lots of acting jobs from her time on Harry Potter, Emma wanted to get an education. She decided to attend Brown University to get a degree in English literature. Between 2009 and 2014, she handled her course load while also starring in five movies.
She’s stylish.
As if being smart wasn’t enough, Emma is never afraid to try new fashion trends while always remaining classy, elegant and gorgeous. At the 2014 Golden Globes she infamously donned a Dior design that featured pants worn under a completely open back dress and she won the 2014 British Style Award this past December.
She’s funny.
Emma has been known since her early days as a quick-witted individual who is always entertaining in interviews. From her tweets to her time on TV interviews, Emma isn’t afraid to be who she really is and show her goofy side.
She’s confident.
Through her feminist initiatives, Emma is a beacon of confidence for young women. Like many of us, she struggled with insecurities when she was younger, but she was able to overcome them and wants others to do the same. “It makes me sad to hear girls constantly putting themselves down,” Emma told Glamour. “We have these unbelievably high expectations of ourselves, when actually we’re human beings and our bodies have a function. We really damage our own confidence when we put ourselves down, so I try not to.”
She’s multi-talented.
Painting, singing and acting, oh my! Emma is best known for her acting chops, but she is also a talented artist as well, with her own artwork decorating her home. She can also sing, a talent that will be displayed when she takes on the big screen yet again in next year’s live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast.
She’s a true role model.
Emma shows us what can happen when you set your mind to something. At just 24 years old, she is highly accomplished—and she is still striving for growth in everything she does. Emma gives us all someone to look up to.
Feature Photo via Walpic