Rupert Grint Addresses ‘Tricky’ Relationship With J.K. Rowling

“Harry Potter” star Rupert Grint, who is best known to fans for playing Ron Weasley, finds himself in an awkward situation whenever he's asking about his relationship with she-who-must-not-be-named.

“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling has received a lot of pushback about her essays and tweets about gender and sex, which has caused many fans to label her transphobic.

In a recent op-ed written for The Times, Grint admitted that his relationship with Rowling is “a tricky one.”

J.K. Rowling was scarcely mentioned in the “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” special that aired on HBO Max on New Year’s Day and only appeared in archived footage filmed back in 2019. Although the cast seemed reticent to address her, Grint admitted that he still tries to keep a relationship with “auntie” Rowling.

“I don’t necessarily agree with everything my auntie says, but she’s still my auntie,” Grint wrote, adding, “It’s a tricky one.”

Grint first made his disagreement with Rowling known back in 2020 in a separate statement that he gave to The Times.

“I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers,” Grint said at the time. “Trans women are women. Trans men are men,” he added. “We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”

In 2021, he told Esquire why he felt the need to confront the matter publicly. “Sometimes silence is even louder,” Grint admitted. “I felt like I had to because I think it was important to.”

“I mean, I don't want to talk about all that,” he added. “Generally, I'm not an authority on the subject. Just out of kindness, and just respecting people. I think it's a valuable group that I think needs standing up for.”

After Rowling posted what many perceived to be an anti-trans essay on her website, many stars of “Harry Potter” – not just Grint – stepped out to voice their support for the trans community.

“Harry Potter” himself, Daniel Radcliffe, was one of the first to speak up after releasing a long statement through The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization founded in 1998 that provides mental health services to LGBTQ+ youth.

“Transgender women are women,” he wrote. “Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.”

“If you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life — then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred,” he added. “And in my opinion nobody can touch that. It means to you what it means to you and I hope that these comments will not taint that too much.”

Emma Watson, who plays Hermione Granger, took to Twitter to express a statement in support of the trans community.

“Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are,” she tweeted. “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are.”

“I donate to @Mermaids_Gender and @mamacash,” she added. “If you can, perhaps you’ll feel inclined to do the same.”

She concluded, “Happy #PRIDE2020 Sending love x.”

Bonnie Wright, who played Ron's sister Ginny Weasley, tweeted, “If Harry Potter was a source of love and belonging for you, that love is infinite and there to take without question or judgment. Transwomen are Women. I see and love you, Bonnie x.”

Chris Rankin, who played Ron’s brother Percy Weasley, also tweeted his support, “My beautiful, brave, strong, trans friends and house of #ChrisNess family. We love you. I can’t say it enough,” he tweeted. “You’re wonderful, and deserve to be treated as such. Please know that. Be proud of who you are. We are proud of you.”