Emma Watson covers the March issue of Vanity Fair with a profile that revisits her child star past, looks to her Disney princess future, and attempts to drag Gloria Steinem into some good old-fashioned shit talking.
In the piece, Vanity Fair's Derek Blasberg describes a PowerPoint presentation Watson created for fashion designers looking to dress her for her Beauty and the Beast tour.
"It included a questionnaire about how their garments are produced, what their impact is on the environment, and the moral reason why she should wear one on the red carpet."
While speaking with friends and colleagues for the profile, Blasberg asked Steinem -- a close friend of Watson's -- if the actress's "Goody Two-Shoes" persona might begin to irritate the general public.
As The Cut noted, Steinem wasn't having it.
As Steinem honors Watson’s high moral standards and relentless activism, I ask her if there’s a risk of becoming, well, annoying to the general public. Is she too much of an ethical Goody Two-Shoes? After all, what other starlet assigns fashion designers homework before she wears their clothes? Steinem is not amused. "Let me ask you something: If you did a story on a young male actor who was very private and involved in activism, would you think he was too severe or serious? Why do women always have to be listeners? Emma is interested in the world, she is caring, and though she is active she is also joyous and informed." At this point I’m backpedaling—"I think she’s wonderful!"—but Steinem still digs in. “It’s possible to be both serious and fun, you know. That response is why men will ask a woman, 'Why don’t you just smile, honey?'"
Good try though, Blasberg.
