The Ron Weasley of 'Harry Potter' actor addresses the famed author in a new piece, noting that she's an 'auntie' for him despite her controversial standpoints.
- Jan 18, 2022
AceShowbiz - J.K. Rowling's controversial comments on the trans community has long created a rift between her relationship with "Harry Potter" cast members, including Rupert Grint. The actor addressed the famed author in a piece for The Times' "What I've Learnt" series, noting that she's an "auntie" for him despite their differing views.
"I liken J.K. Rowling to an auntie. I don't necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she's still my auntie," Grint wrote. The Ron Weasley depicter admitted that "it's a tricky one."
Rowling faced backlash back in 2020 after she was accused of being transphobic. At the time, she tweeted a link to a Devex opinion article headlined "Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate."
" 'People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?" the British author reacted to the article. She doubled down on her controversial standpoints in a lengthy essay shared on her website days later.
Among those who criticized Rowling were "Harry Potter" stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Grint himself. Radcliffe wrote in an essay for The Trevor Project, "Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I."
"I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment," Grint said in a statement.
Watson echoed the sentiment, writing on Twitter, "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are. I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are."
Back to Grint's essay, he went on to say that his character in the "Harry Potter" movie series hugely impacted his life. "I measure my life in 'Harry Potter' movies. They're so ingrained in me. I find it very hard to detach myself from being Ron - we merged into the same person," the "Servant" actor wrote.
"I can't believe it started 20 years ago. It definitely sculpted who I am. I mentally closed the door on it even though I'm constantly faced with it – there's the play, the theme park and it's always on TV," Grint, who participated on HBO Max's "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts" special, continued.
Of the recent reunion, Grint said that he found it as nostalgic as fans might feel. "I don't see Dan and Emma as much as you'd expect, so the reunion was very nostalgic," he shared.
