She spoke at a UN conference to launch the UN Women campaign HeForShe to advocate for gender equality.
She was appointed a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador at the age of 24.
She made her first country visit as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador to Uruguay in 2014, where she gave a speech emphasizing the need for women’s political participation.
So it shouldn’t really come as a surprise when Emma Watson, a known advocate for gender equality and a fan of sustainable fashion, refused to wear a corset under her character’s iconic yellow gown in the new Disney movie “Beauty and the Beast,” coming out on March 17.
A corset is a tightly fitting laced or stiffened outer bodice worn to forcefully shape the figure of the wearer. Although it has emerged as one of the biggest trends of the season, it contradicts the idea of celebrating all body types, and there’s no denying that it’s physically restricting.
Watson’s rejection comes from her intention to reshape the personality of princess Belle through a modern interpretation by making her more than just a “stereotypical soft spoken princess sitting around in a ball gown,” Watson told Entertainment Weekly.
In the 1991 cartoon version of “Beauty and the Beast,” Belle is portrayed to be helpless and dependent on male figures, and she has no interests besides reading.
Recognizing the original Belle’s lack of personality and backstory, Watson was determined to play an “active” princess with dynamic traits and more skills.
Watson recently told Entertainment Weekly that she will star as an inventor whose interests include horseback riding, adding more intellectual pursuits to Belle.
The remake of Belle allows Watson to be more physically active, whereas a corset would restrict her from moving freely — which is exactly why Watson refused to wear it.
This is a discernible breakthrough for the portrayal of Disney princesses, as it prioritizes personality and skill over appearances.
To ensure that the dress retains the magical Disney feel while allowing free movement, Watson worked closely with the film creators as well as costume designer Jacqueline Durran to create a new look.
Watson’s reform is a bold move compared to other remake of Disney princesses.
In the 2015 remake of “Cinderella,” Lily James’s tiny waistline in her corset sparked controversy, especially when James admitted to adhering to a diet of only liquids in order to fit in the corset.
Contrary to the Cinderella portrayal, Watson’s remake of Belle shows that girls are more than waistlines, a big step in celebrating all body types.