Our expectations out of life and love often look very different, but when Harry Potter star Emma Watson revealed she is 'self partnered', it left some of those unfamiliar with the term scratching their heads.
We've all know the basics - single, in a relationship, it's complicated - and when a new buzz word gets thrown into the mix, we make it our prerogative to get down to the nitty gritty of what it all means.
The 34-year-old star who made her name as a child star when portraying Hermione Granger, before going on to feature in the likes of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Little Women, opened up about her interesting relationship status in an interview.
Little is known about the personal life of the actress, and having been linked to entrepreneur Leo Robinton in 2019, Watson spoke out that same year and brought up being 'self partnered' for the first time.
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She told British Vogue: “I never believed the whole ‘I’m happy single’ spiel.
"I was like, ‘This is totally spiel.’ It took me a long time, but I’m very happy [being single]. I call it being self-partnered.”
She confirmed at the time that she was dating, adding: "Not one specific person, but I’m going on dates.”
At the time, Watson confirmed she made the choice not to pursue online dating.
She explained: "Dating apps are not on the cards for me.
“I’m very lucky in the sense that because I went to university and because I’ve done these other things outside of film, my friends are really good at setting me up.
“And what’s really nice is some of my best friends are people I got set up on a date with and it didn’t work out.”
Definitely better than unmatching someone on Hinge after an awkward first date.
Following the interview, one person wrote on X: "I personally love that Emma Watson calls being single 'self-partnered'. We really need to overhaul the way we think about singledom and especially how our culture views single women."
Watson further revisited the term in the January 2024 issue of the same fashion magazine, clarifying that it wasn't 'necessarily about ... celebrating being single,' before continuing: "Getting to the point when I was 30, I was realising: ‘Oh, maybe I’ve figured out some things about how to care for myself better – maybe quite well, actually.’ And taking pride in that."
Watson went on to add that although she doesn't centre romantic relationships, she has realised the importance of community.
She said: “Coming out of Covid, I really understood the importance of building community, having community and investing, very intentionally, time and energy into that.”
She added: "Activism is about connection, community and joy, because what is joyful is sustainable – what you love to do is something you can do for a long time. And that’s what we need.”
It's not difficult to see why the A-lister has reigned supreme as an incredible role model for young women for decades.
Topics: Emma Watson, Sex and Relationships, Celebrity
Kya Buller