Emma Watson Missed Being Famous
I think I need to spend about ten minutes with Emma Watson. No, not like that. Get your minds out of the gutter. It just is that I cannot decide whether I think she is turning into something Hollywoodish and pretentious or making fun of herself. She gave an interview to The Sunday Times and after completing their crossword in 8 minutes, sat down and explained why she left Brown. She insists it was not bullying and that she can handle teasing. This is the part that kind of makes me want to believe she is being funny.
"If I was being given a hard time, I wasn't going to wuss out of university because someone said 'Wingardium leviosa' to me in a corridor, or 'Ten points for Gryffindor." See, and those are pretty funny which makes me like her. But, then in almost the next breath she talks about how guys do not date her or ask her out because she they are intimidated by her and the fame wall. Huh? Guys will ask anyone out anytime. Then she says the real reason she dropped out of Brown was that "I was in denial. I wanted to pretend I wasn't as famous as I was. I was trying to seek out normality, but I kind of have to accept who I am, the position I'm in and what happened."
Umm, I think what she is saying is that when she was at Brown and no one treated her like she was famous, really ticked her off and she realized she missed all the special attention and did not want it to go away which it very well could if she spent an entire four years at school. Luckily someone called her with a movie offer so she was able to leave school and return to being famous which is the only thing she knows. I honestly don't care if she goes to school or not. But, she just told me everyone treated her normally at school but that she was too famous to be at school. It's ok to say you missed it. It is all you have known since you were 9. Just be honest about it.
55 comments:
Wills and Kate managed to suffer through the experience and no one is more famous or sought after than them!
Aw, Enty, I think you're being hard on Emma ;) I think she's saying she found it too hard to go unnoticed. Then again, when you're a star of one of the biggest series ever and THEN signs on as the the face Burberry, I'm not so sure what else she could have expected. I do hope she finishes school eventually, though.
"Huh? Guys will ask anyone out anytime."
I disagree with this statement. I know a few men who are openly intimidated by women they perceive as more attractive, intelligent, and successful than they are. Emma's not even out of her teens, and she's got piles of money, worldwide fame, and an intellect she's not afraid to display. The idea of dating Hermione Granger would probably scare off, say, the captain of the Brown rugby team.
And I don't think that she thought of herself as ~too good~ for school, but she IS sort of at the peak of her career right now, and she's might have more offers at this phase of her life than she will in a decade. A four-year break from all that might put a real dent in her cultural popularity -- and I think the fact that she chose to drop out, rather than halfheartedly fake an academic career (*cough, cough* jamesfranco, *cough, cough*) says tons about her maturity and respect for the dedication involved in attending college.
I KNOW I'm just speculating, but I've always been really impressed with the Harry Potter kids and the classy way they've conducted themselves. At least Emma WANTED to go to school in the first place.
A school like that is a fishbowl. Her life is very different from that of other students and even if no one bugged her or if they were perfectly nice to her, she was probably still out of step with them. Or maybe she thought she wanted to be like a regular student but found out she doesn't really. Maybe she'd be better off at a school like NYU (or such) where it's easier to have one foot in both worlds.
Besides, so many of my friends' kids and my kids' friends have wound up leaving the college where they began their studies. It's not uncommon and I'm sure she'll figure out a way to complete her studies.
She's very pretty and I'm sure she's very bright but I'm not sure she's that great an actress anyway.
C'mon Enty, she didn't say she MISSED being famous at all. She was trying to be a regular *folk* and i'd have to agree, that's pretty impossible at this point. She was honest enough to admit it. Would you, an LA *lawyer* say, go back to living on an acreage & growing your own produce? Not that that's where you come from, but you get my point.
Also, guys do not ask out anyone, anytime. Pretty/popular/smart girls are often the lonely ones. The 'ole "Apples are too far up the Tree" thing.
Didn't Natalie Portman go to Yale? Isn't she more famous than Emma?
Oh, what weapons-grade BS, this. She dropped out because she didn't want to do the work and, fortunately for her, doesn't really have to. And it's not really a lot of work because at Brown, once you're in (which is really tough for regular people anyway), you really don't have to exert yourself very much to get a B average. I was at Brown at the same time as JFK Jr. and (briefly) Amy Carter, along with a lot of other more minor-league names. The attitude at Brown is so cooler-than-thou that no one would cop to being impressed or deferential. (Maybe that's the problem.) Jodie Foster made it through Yale (smart woman) even and despite that freak Hinckley (and you know that was pressure). I think (?) even Natalie Portman managed to drag a degree out of Harvard, so it's not like it's an unprecedented feat. If Emma Watson really wanted the degree she could do it no sweat. But instead she just big-footed her way in and took up someone else's space.
I think she was saying that she thought nobody would treat her differently, but they did, and she needs to accept that would happen whether she was at Brown or in Hollywood.
I hope that she finds a school she likes and finishes some kind of degree at some point. I have told my children that is my biggest regret in life. 90 hours of college and no degree.
Enty, I did not read it like that at all. More like it was an issue not to be incognito at school.
Emma's not even out of her teens
@Ida
She's 21. :)
@John
And didn't Brooke Shields graduate from Harvard or was it Yale?
@Reno -- I feel REALLY, REALLY old right now. :-/
Me too, Ida, me too.
I think she was smart to drop out. She has a limited shelf life as a actress/model. The opportunity to create generational wealth is there NOW, not later. Her college degree would gain her nothing financially and little culturally since she could learn everything from independent reading (I think she was an English major). She did the right thing.
And as to the dating thing, I agree she probably intimidated the kind of boys she probably likes while attracting the kind of boys she didn't.
@looserdude -- "Her college degree would gain her nothing financially and little culturally since she could learn everything from independent reading (I think she was an English major)."
I majored in English, and I'll be the first to say that I would NOT be as culturally literate if it hadn't been for my brilliant, accessible professors and my college experience in general. Some of my profs introduced me to literature that I probably wouldn't have been attracted to on my own, and I'm *so* grateful for that. Majoring in English entails a heck of a lot more than just reading, reading, reading. It's also about learning how to develop your own prose style, as well as observing the writing patterns of others and learning from them, too. It's not exactly a "self-taught" kinda deal, even though people seem to think that it is. *sigh*
Regardless, college is what you make of it. If you're enthusiastic about what you're studying, it's pretty much the best thing ever. I LOVED college. I guess that's obvious.
You're right about one thing, however: an English degree sure ain't lucrative ;-)
Like the Olsen twins I think they enjoy the thought of going to College and fancy themselves smart.
But College is work, it's papers, tests, study groups. It isn't pretend College where you hang out act the hipster and walk away with a degree that you did nothing to earn.
It is much more fun to do a movie earn a lot of money and have all your whims catered to. Then being in the dorm laundry room having to sort your panties at 1am.
@John Natalie went to Harvard and got a degree in psychology.
I think shew was trying to say she thought she could be "normal" as in not famous, and it didn't happen.
She should have finished school...she made a big mistake.
Living a certain lifestyle is almost everything she knows, maybe. If she tried 'normalcy' and it didn't work out for her, why shouldn't she return to her regular routine? On the other hand, not finishing school...:(
"Guys will ask anyone out anytime."
If that was the case, I would have asked Allison Mack out on a date (via handwritten letter) AGES ago. *grumbles*
I think Emma should do a few more movies, maybe a bit of theater...and then find some career defining role that will land her a dumptruck full of awards. All the HP kids have good heads on their shoulders and are going to do pretty well after the franchise ends. I hope she finishes school and does well for herself. And if not, shit, I'll take her out on a date.
@Ida - as an English major, I guess you'd know, but I was computer science major and I learned about 100x more from the job than from college. So I think college is overrated nowadays.
Brooke Shields went to Princeton. The story goes that she originally wanted to attend Harvard, but her mom wanted the school to guarantee she'd be accepted before she applied (to avoid being embarrassed if she wasn't, presumably,) Harvard refused, hence, Princeton.
As far as not finishing her education, I don't think Emma has too many worries about making a living at this point. She has to strike while the iron is hot.
I don't think that was what she was saying, Enty. She doesn't strike me as a famewhore.
I would have liked to have seen her finish school (<- Its like I'm her mom or something) BUT I see the points made about striking while the iron is hot. She could always go back later. However, like Ida said, college is awesome, so it's a shame she will miss out on that experience while young, too.
@looserdude - "So I think college is overrated nowadays."
That is one of the most ignorant as fuck things I have ever read on this site. Yeah, getting a higher education and bettering yourself are totally overrated.
Fucking mong. Ugh...
@TNC -- OKAY. In looserdude's defense, I would think that computer science is a PERfect example of a field in which you can learn more on the job than you ever could in a classroom -- particularly since technology changes faster than people can write about it or study it. Reading books about the history and theory of computers isn't going to help you any, really. You'd need hands-on experience, and the only way to go about *that* is to enter the workforce and go for it.
Of course, a degree makes you a more competitive applicant, no matter your major -- and there's nothing wrong with learning for learning's sake.
Really, I just wanted to defend looserdude. I think he adds interesting points to a discussion. Personally, I don't think he's responsible for the dumbest statements uttered on CDAN, and neither are you. ;-)
Emma really, really, really wanted the lead in the new Girl with the Dragon Tattoo movie - so much so that she chopped her hair butch and short. Unfortunately, Hollywood wasn't ready to let her do any hardcore, edgy grown up parts so close to the last Harry Potter movie coming out.
She might end up with a Jennifer Aniston problem, playing bland good girls, if she doesn't find a way to go against type and shock the industry into noticing her as a grown up. Maybe she saw that going off to college was going to put her in a box for four years and keep her out of the running for juicy parts and realized she wanted to keep that door open, even if it takes her a while to remake her career post-Potter.
I agree, though, that she's not really a very good actress. Too self-conscious, not very well spoken, and hopefully she will grow out of that. I'm still rooting for my Hermione!
I'm with looserdude too. Some degrees are required to make you successful (medical comes to mind) and others not so much. There has been much discussed lately as to whether college is valuable and specifically how some people thrive better without it. Let's call it a personal choice each person should be able to make (if only everyone could have access to higher education-my utopia).
Yes, in Looser's defense, post secondary education *is* overrated in the sense that it does not guarantee success or intelligence in the game. A degree/diploma simply means you have the ability to learn. Professional value is earned thru experience.
I have a little piece of paper, that essentially means diddly squat. It's my practical degree that has kicked butt.
You know, Nightmare Child, when you become Nightmare Adult you will realize that what you say about other people is more a reflection on you than it is on them. So in the meantime, peace out.
Reminds me of Woody Allen's line in Annie Hall - "Everthing our parents told us was good is bad. Sun, milk, red meat, college."
Who are you kidding? I went to College for performing arts and had famous kids in my classes. Of course we were all aware and a bit star struck of the actors/actresses. We tried to act like they were just a normal, everday student, but it was hard not to notice and treat them differently. We've been taught that it's not nice to stare...plus we don't want them to think they're so amazing by treating them like royalty...but yes, we were 100% aware. I also agree that men are intimidated by her. It's tough enough for a man to approach a girl they like, let alone a celebrity. She's also extremely attractive.
FWIW: Don't forget the clown posting that billboard in New Mexico is a 35-year-old college student. Still in school or a "late bloomer," I can't say, but it shows higher education is no guarantee of higher development.
How can you talk like that about Emma, Enty? She seems so sweet and smart. I really like her. And that's saying something when everyone hates half of Hollywood.
C'mon everyone...it depends on the discipline. In business, you can get away with less than high school - trust me, I've come across a bunch of CEOs in the last ten years at my job who never finished high school, let alone college. That being said, if you want to be a CFO? You need college/University. Politician? You need a degree. Writer or programmer? Not so much. I wouldn't be making what I do now without a degree....and my kids are GOING to college/uni, if I ever have any ;) It can only help.
@Ida - Oh, hon...I know. I've had four different majors...from theatre to education to audio engineering and finally, radio/broadcast journalism. All and I mean ALL of my friends who work with computers are self-taught, so I do understand where everyone's coming from...but I don't get the fact that people are overlooking the fact that he came out and said that college is overrated. In my eyes, that's pretty much saying that learning & bettering yourself is overrated. Then again, I'm one of those people that wants the educational standards of this country raised.
@looserdude - BUH-BYE.
I'm on the Emma side here.
She didn't sound obnoxious, she sounded like a normal kid who's had a fairly extraordinary experience. And trust me. Guys will not ask you out. I was tall and shy and nerdy and also very pretty (not that I knew it, but that's what folks say), and GUYS WILL NOT ASK YOU OUT IF THEY THINK YOU WILL TURN THEM DOWN. And when you don't talk to them much because you're shy and have no clue what to say when the subject isn't science or history, they think you're stuck up and not interested in them. Believe me, I would have loved to have been asked out more when I didn't have a lot of confidence. Now I get asked out all the time, but I've learned that most guys aren't interested in the actual me, they just want to go out with you so that they can try to score with another hot chick. The problem is, the nice, intelligent guys aren't pushy or confident enough to ask you out, and tell you way later that they wanted to, but they didn't think you were interested. It's the douchey guys who are out there asking everyone out. Of course, I eventually learned how to talk to the nice guys, so I have a great boyfriend. But it's always the egotistical jerks who are first in line to ask you out.
Uh oh, I think I just went on a dating rant! : )
@ms snarky - That was not a rant. That was a very apropos ancedote.
i dunno, if everytime you go out there are people taking your pix, and if you speak in class its broadcast around campus in 30 seconds; takes some of the fun out of it.
you can't have it both ways when your a child star. the british press protects the royal family. everyone else is fair game.
if i were her id be traveling around the world, not sitting behind a desk reading about it.
I just wanted to say that I love how this turned out to be such a interesting thread and I have enjoyed reading all your smart (and not so smart) comments! :)
On and also Emma is adooorable
I think she was being open about the fact that it was not the experience she expected and acknowledge that the anonymity to make the mistakes or be a regular university student will not be afforded to her. She has the wealth and wherewithal to travel and learn at her own pace, maybe do independent study like Hilary Duff did.
Me said: "if i were her id be traveling around the world, not sitting behind a desk reading about it."
Brilliant!
Oh please, she wanted to play the part of the intellect, but after a few months said "wtf is this, I have to get up at the crack of dawn every single day when I could just go be Hollywood and sleep in everyday and party all the time".
I'm sure every single day she got up she was saying "I have no need to do this, I'm rich".
I imagine it must hard for a celebrity like Emma Watson to have an even somewhat "normal" college experience, what with everyone and his brother being able to take a picture or video and instantly broadcast it for thousands to see. I'm so thankful Facebook wasn't around in my college days. I may have had a lot of fun in college, but my parents would have been mortified if they knew even half of what I was up to.
a degree gets you in the door. your smarts and "train-ability" makes you successful.
you sound so jealous, enty.
Let's not forget that most of her friends and family are back in the UK. I think going to school in the US would have some degree of culture shock.
Plus, Emma has been working most of the time she's been at Brown. Filming the HP movies and reshoots, doing the press tours, endorsements, etc. She's a busy girl and couldn't stop her commitments just because she decided to go to school.
I see her taking classes somewhere else that has some sort of fashion program and will allow a more flexible schedule.
@Jessica: She woke up at the crack of dawn for 10 years doing Harry Potter. If your reasoning is true, who could blame her? She should have taken a break.
I never woke up at the crack of dawn to go to any of my college classes. That's the neat thing about college, you can pretty much pick your own schedule.
I read a large excerpt of that article and I definitely did not get the same impression that Enty did, quite the opposite in fact. She tried to have a normal existence there, she had a group of friends who tried to help her and keep her somewhat 'protected' but there was only so much they could do when she was leaving campus to do awards shows and photo shoots and god knows what all she's had to do in the last 12 months. I think that was her true conflict, that she couldn't just be a college student, she kept getting pulled back to the other part of her life.
I think you are way off on this one Enty. Wayyyyyy off.
I live in Providence (where Brown U is located) and I can assure you that there has been virtually NO pap presence here during Emma Watson's (brief) stay. JFK Jr. had to put up with WAY more, and he managed to walk out with a degree. I can partly see where Watson's coming from, but if truly wanted to commit herself to school, she should have waited until the HP stuff was done, and not tried to live in both worlds simultaneously. Brown (as Amartel said) is no joke, and you can't breeze in, expecting the profs to give you a pass every time you want to skip class for a fashion show, party, photo shoot, etc.
It IS too bad that she (likely) celeb-ed her way into Brown and took a spot away from someone more worthy, and more committed. Shame on her.
@ecua
I believe Emma got into Brown based on merit, not fame. Not every celeb is an idiot.
@ms snarky -- "Not every celeb is an idiot."
Exactly. Thank you. It IS possible to be famous, rich, beautiful, AND brainy. I don't see why celebrities who happen to pursue higher education are attacked -- unless they're like pretentious ol' James Franco and are pursuing multiple doctorates simultaneously (while openly napping in class). God, I cannot *stand* him.
Anyway.
People disparage Natalie Portman's time at Harvard, but former professors -- Alan Dershowitz, for one -- have gone on and on about her brilliant undergraduate career. By all accounts, she attended class with regularity, participated in discussions without dominating them, and tried to assimilate into campus life as much as possible. Also, I think it's cool how she majored in Psychology, as opposed to something predictable like Drama or Theater.
Christy Turlington graduated from NYU, but I guess her supermodel status makes her degree invalid? We all know that pretty people don't deserve the Ivy League experience!
I won't deny that these celebrities don't receive special treatment. That's a byproduct of fame. And colleges EVERYWHERE admit students based on their wealth -- they figure that a rich person will one day kick back tons of money to the school's endowment, I guess. That's certainly why a simpleton like Dubya was admitted to Yale (that, and his surname, of course). Not saying it's fair, but that's the way it is.
Either way, some people sound incredibly jealous -- you included, Enty. ;-)
I hardly said that Watson isn't intelligent, but yes, my neighbor and a family member work for Brown, and it's common knowledge there that Watson didn't have to compete to get in; the door just opened for her. Now, of course this happens all the time with celebs, but there was actually a pool around Brown re: how long Watson would stay before she caved in to her desires to maintain her celebrity. Wish I could have gotten in on that. So what I mean is this: someone else, who might have done a lot more with the opportunity, lost their slot to Brown to Watson, who spent a LOT of time begging off from school to go to NY for fashion stuff, photo shoots, etc. or LA, London for much the same, as well as the HP stuff. I'm sure Watson is intelligent, but she should have had the wherewithall to realize that she was just going to waste that slot at Brown by trying to attend when she did. I'm not jealous, as Ida so condescendingly insinuated; just realistic.
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