Emma Watson Threatened After Speaking Out About Gender Equality

Published on March 9, 2015.

Photo by David Fisher/REX

Emma Watson is an outspoken supporter of women’s rights — and sometimes that results in threats.

During a live Facebook Q&A to publicize the HeForShe equality campaign and International Women’s Day in London, the 24 year-old actress said that a speech she gave on feminism at the United Nations United Nations in September resulted in an ugly, immediate backlash.

“There was a website set up that was threatening to release naked images of me, with like a countdown and whatever else,” she expained. “I knew it was a hoax. I knew the pictures didn’t exist.”

Emma was talking about a website called emmayournext.com, which threatened to release the images. The site turned out to be a prank by Rantic, which claims to be a “social marketing and PR” agency.

The incident actually forced people to realize how important it is to fight for gender equality. “When they saw that the minute I stepped up and talked about women’s rights I was immediately threatened. I mean within less than 12 hours I was receiving threats. I think they were really shocked and one of my brothers in particular was very upset.”

But the threats weren’t about to keep Emma silent. “If anything, it made me so much more determined. I was raging,” she said.

In addition, Emma has received a lot of support for her HeForShe campaign from a number of celebrities, including Steve Carell. The word is getting out, and the movement is getting stronger!