Emma Watson says she is ‘happy people feel empowered’ by self-partnered statement

'For me, it's much more about your relationship with yourself,' Little Women star says

Emma Watson has addressed the unprecedented response she received when she described herself as “self-partnered”, saying she is “happy people feel empowered” by her words.

Last month, the actor was interviewed by journalist and transgender rights activist Paris Lees for the November issue of British Vogue.

During their discussion, Watson spoke to Lees about the pressure she feels regarding turning 30 next year, and about how her perspective on being single has changed over the years.

“It took me a long time, but I’m very happy [being single]. I call it being self-partnered,” she said at the time, a statement that prompted a viral reaction in the media.

While speaking with E! News on the red carpet at New York premiere of the Greta Gerwig-directed film Little Women, Watson was asked whether she knew describing herself as self-partnered would “start this entire revolution”.

“No. I literally said it as a throwaway comment, thinking it would go no further, and then I woke up the next morning and my phone’s blowing up and I don’t know why. It’s all my friends messaging me being like, ‘Self-partnered, this thing’s gone crazy’,” the activist stated.

“I’m so happy people feel empowered by my stressful moment. It’s great.”

Watson provided a more detailed explanation of what it means to be self-partnered, explaining that in her view, anyone can describe themselves as such, whether they are in a relationship or not.

“For me it’s much more about your relationship with yourself and the feeling of you’re not somehow deficient, in some way, because you aren’t with someone,” she said.

“You’re like, ‘I’ve got this. I’ve got myself’.”

While some people initially voiced their confusion over the “self-partnered” phrase, others expressed their admiration for Watson’s coining of the term.

“I’m now referring to myself as self-partnered instead of single, I love my new relationship status, thank u Emma Watson for this [sic],” one person tweeted.

“I turn 30 two weeks before Emma Watson. This is so good from her,” another remarked. “I will respond ‘self-partnered and shopping for an allotment’ whenever anyone asks. What a force she is.”

Little Women, in which Watson stars as the eldest sister Meg March, received only one Golden Globe nomination, for Saoirse Ronan in the Best Actress in a Motion Picture category.

Ronan, who plays the outspoken Jo March in the film, subtly criticised the Golden Globes for failing to nominate Gerwig in the Best Director category, stating: “My performance in this film belongs to Greta as much as it does myself and I share this recognition completely with her.”