"Emma has gone underground." Why Emma Watson suddenly disappeared from the spotlight. 

Emma Watson has been dormant on her socials for quite some time now. It's also been over two years since she was seen at a red carpet event. But goodness, she has been busy.

In a string of Instagram posts, the Harry Potter and Little Women actress has been documenting her environmentalism work and championing important voices. 

But it's only recently that Watson has chosen to return to the spotlight. And interestingly it has everything to do with Harry Potter.

Here's what Emma Watson's life looks like now.

Watch: Emma Watson is our feminist hero. Post continues below.

Emma Watson on climate change and activism. 

From her socials, it’s clear that advocating for climate change has been a massive part of Watson's life for the past few years.

The actress has been renowned for celebrating eco-conscious fashion, she is also a self-confessed thrifty queen. 

“I love buying vintage as it’s such a sustainable way to shop,” she recently wrote on her Instagram.

So why has fashion been such a focal point for Watson? She says it's because of the role fast fashion plays in impacting the environment. 

As Watson has said previously: “It’s a minefield out there in the fashion world! What does it all mean? Does it matter? What matters most? How do I choose? What is greenwashing? Which information or recommendations do I trust?”

Using fashion as a storytelling tool for action on environmentalism, in 2018 Watson guest-edited Vogue Australia’s March Issue, which was "dedicated to conversations about sustainability and ‘Designing the Future'."

I helped guest edit @vogueaustralia’s March issue dedicated to conversations about sustainability and “Designing the Future”.

I am so proud of this! @Edwinamccann thank you for making my editing dreams come true. Link in my bio to read my guest editor letter. pic.twitter.com/p3vRQ1AEoh

— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) February 19, 2018

“After a year dominated by an alarming newsfeed, it seems we have hit a turning point. Silenced voices are becoming amplified and media outlets are shining a spotlight on the people and groups challenging for change,” she wrote in her Editor piece.

“I would like to challenge you, after reading this issue, to make a one-degree shift, because a small change can make a huge difference.”

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But Watson's activism hasn't just stopped at climate change. 

In the wake of George Floyd’s death in May 2020, there was a resounding push for retailers across the world to start supporting brands and stock founded or led by black and First Nations people. 

Not-for-profit organisation 15 Percent Pledge has also called for retail giants to pledge 15 per cent of their shelf space to black-owned businesses: something that Watson herself has got behind. 

“I’d love to work with my partners to ensure a greater percentage of the sustainable brands they feature are founded or led by black people.” 

The Harry Potter star also called for black-helmed brands to reach out to her so she and her followers could collectively support them.

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Emma Watson on being "self-partnered".

In a 2019 interview with British Vogue, Watson admitted that when she was about to turn 30, she felt quite panicked about not being in a relationship.

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“I was like ‘why does everyone make such a big fuss about turning 30? This is not a big deal…’ Cut to 29, and I feel so stressed and anxious. And I realise it’s because there is suddenly this bloody influx of subliminal messaging around.”

“If you have not built a home, if you do not have a husband, if you do not have a baby, and you are turning 30, and you’re not in some incredibly secure, stable place in your career, or you’re still figuring things out…” she pauses for breath. “There’s just this incredible amount of anxiety.”

“It took me a long time, but I’m very happy [being single]. I call it being self-partnered.”

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Since that interview, Watson has reportedly found love with Californian businessman Leo Robinton, although there are reports the couple recently split.

From what we know, she has been linked previously with diamond heir Francis Boulle, British financier Jay Barrymore, Spanish musician Rafael Cebrián, Perks of Being a Wallflower co-star Johnny Simmons, Glee star Chord Overstreet and Rugby player Tom Ducker.

Given the resounding interest in her private life, it’s no wonder Watson has said she prefers to keep her relationships out of the spotlight. 

Emma Watson's return to the spotlight.

It was only around the time of COP26, that Watson began to post on her socials once again, after a year hiatus.

Just last month she met one of her idols: Al Gore, who is the Former Vice President of the United States, a Nobel Prize Laureate, author and founder of not-for-profit Climate Reality.

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“It was really surreal to meet and interview one of my idols. I think one of the many reasons I find Al Gore so compelling is that even though he lost one of the biggest fights of his life to become president in 2000 he has continued to do the work he set out to do despite humiliation, loss and defeat... the tides have been against him for years and he’s kept swimming. That to me is a hero.” 

“Thankfully climate change action is becoming mainstream and the tides have turned in his direction and now we are all swimming with him.”

The actress was also in attendance at the highly publicised Earthshot Prize event in late October. 

At the event, she wore an upcycled wedding dress, the garment from the FOUND collection created in partnership with Oxfam and avant-garde, gender-fluid designer Harris Reed.  

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The inaugural ceremony, presented by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in London, is an ambitious environmental program aiming to find new ideas and technologies globally in a bid to tackle climate change.

Emma Watson and the Harry Potter reunion.

It's hard to believe that it is the highly anticipated 20th anniversary of Harry Potter. And what better way to mark the occasion than with a reunion in 2022!

Watson has been promoting the reunion regularly on her socials, marking a major return for the actress.

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Watson will join filmmaker Chris Columbus and other esteemed cast members across all eight Harry Potter films for a look back on the franchise and to have candid conversations about the experience.

Image: Getty. 

The reunion has fans extremely excited, with Watson also acknowledging just how special fans of the film franchise are to her. 

“Thank you to the fans that have continued to show their support well after the last chapter closed. The magic of the world wouldn’t exist without you. Thank you for fighting to make it such an inclusive and loving place,” she said.

“Harry Potter was my home, my family, my world and Hermione (still is) my favourite fictional character of all time.

Image: Getty.

“I look at my fellow cast members now and I am just so proud of who everyone has become as people. I am proud we were kind to each other that we supported one another and that we held up something meaningful."

Alumni of the film franchise will join the memorable tribute, including Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, and Ian Hart, among others. 

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Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, will be available to stream from 7.01pm AEDT on January 1, 2022 on BINGE.

Feature Image: Getty/Mamamia.

This article was originally published on October 20, 2021, and updated on December 6, 2021.

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