The plain-Jane definition of a role model is a person looked to by
others as an example to be imitated. For me, that person is Emma Watson. To those who think she is just the girl who played Hermione Granger her whole life could be surprised by how much more there is to her.
1. She is for gender equality.
Starting in 2014, Emma Watson launched the campaign HeForShe for Gender equality. Basically, the goal of this campaign is to get men and boys involved in women's rights. They hope to encourage these men and boys to step up and join the fight against inequalities that women and young girls face everyday. What's so amazing about this plan is she doesn't want the fight to be one-sided, but for everyone to gain an idea of unfairness that is taking place to help make a difference2. Multitask-er like a boss.
During her amazing film days in the Harry Potter movies, Watson also took time out her busy schedule to go back to school. Can we all just take a moment to really think how amazing this is? Filming movies as big as the Harry Potter series only one can imagine how busy her schedule could have been. Yet, took time to attend Brown University and get a bachelors degree in English. For us college students, a lot of the time we can't imagine taking a bathroom break while cramming for a big test the night before. I think it is important for struggling college students who think they can't possibly take on anything else see their role model accomplishing being a bad-a actress while earning her degree. That is what I call motivation.
3. The girl has class.
Lets face it, the girl has some major class. You don't see the tabloids plastered with pictures of her getting a DUI ticket or "accidentally" showing her goods while getting out of her car. It really important these days not only for young women to have a respectable role model, but also young girls still in their early teen years. I feel like Emma is perfect to look up to while growing up because it is important to see another female respect herself. She shows you don't have to get naked to be sexy or dumb yourself down for boys to like you.
4. She plays the iconic role of Hermione Granger.
This reason may seem dumb to some people because why should you pick a role model based a character he or she played? Well, here is my reasoning: I still agree she is much more than just this character, but this is one of the reasons why we love her. Hermione Granger started out in the books as a not so pretty girl, but a brilliant witch. Through her years at Hogwarts, not only did blossom into a beautiful girl, but learned the true meaning of friendship by gaining two of the best friends, excelled in her studies, and part took in defeating the villain who tried to destroy her world. Emma once said," young girls are taught to be princesses. Hermione taught them that you can be the warrior." Emma Watson took that role seriously and brought a heroine to life. For us nerdy fans that is a big deal!
5. She's real.
Despite the glitz and the glamour, Emma Watson is just a regular girl trying to do life like all of us. That to me is her most redeeming quality because very few celebrities see themselves like that. Just google Emma Watson quotes and you'll see how many times she has stated that she is not a perfect person or that she encourages you that it is okay be your own person. My favorite quote from her is,"don't feel stupid if you don't like what everyone else pretends to love." I think that's something every individual struggles with in life.
For some to see that his or her hero put that out there for people to see could do a lot of good for that individual. What more could you want from a role model?