Public image

Watson at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival

Watson has often been cited as a role model, though she shies away from the term, stating that "it puts the fear of
god into [her]".[187] Her impact on teenage girls' view of women's rights has been referred to as the "Emma Watson
effect", with respondents from a National Citizen Service survey stating that her work in activism had inspired them
to label themselves feminists.[188][189][190] In her initial post-Harry Potter career, she was noted to focus on smaller films
rather than big-budget studio films.[79] Adam White of The Independent states that Watson's acting style possesses
"a very human sensitivity and quiet strength."[79][191]
Describing Watson's off-screen persona, Derek Blasberg of Vanity Fair has called her "shy", "friendly, intelligent,
and down to earth." Activist Gloria Steinem has described her as "way more like a real person than a movie star,"
while author bell hooks considers her to be part of "a very different, new breed [of actors] who are interested in
being whole and having a holistic life, as opposed to being identified with just wealth and
fame."[100] Her gamine hairstyle, pale skin, and slight physique have been noted as her trademarks. [192][193][194][195]
Watson's character in Harry Potter has had a significant impact on pop culture; the actress has commented, "I have
met fans [with] my face tattooed on their bod[ies]. I've met people who used the Harry Potter books to get through
cancer. I don't know how to explain it, but the Harry Potter phenomenon steps into a different zone." Watson has
been the subject of substantial media attention since the beginning of her career; on her eighteenth birthday she
was photographed by paparazzi attempting to take pictures up her skirt, and she has been victim of
numerous stalking threats. Watson does not take selfies with fans, citing security concerns, and instead prefers to
talk one-on-one during interactions.[100]
In March 2009, she was ranked sixth on the Forbes list of "Most Valuable Young Stars"[196] and in February 2010,
she was Hollywood's highest-paid female star, having earned an estimated £19 million in 2009.[197] In
2017, Forbes ranked her among the world's highest-paid actresses, with annual earnings of $14 million.[198] In 2013,
Watson was British GQ's Woman of the Year and topped Empire's list of the 100 Sexiest Movie Stars.[199][200] Watson
was found to be the sixth most admired woman in the world in global surveys conducted by YouGov in 2020.[201]