J.K. Rowling Says Missing 'Harry Potter' Reunion Was Unrelated To Social Media

Author J.K. Rowling has become so much of a controversial figure in the "Harry Potter" universe that even real-life Quidditch tournaments have changed their name to Quadball in order to distance themselves from her.

When the "Harry Potter" author didn't appear in the 20th Anniversary special on HBO Max last year, fans assumed that it was due to her social media presence and allegations of transphobic remarks.

However, Rowling, 57, insists that the reason she didn't appear in the "Return to Hogwarts" special was that she simply didn't want to.

On August 27, the Hugo Award winner appeared on Virgin Radio Saturday, when she explained to host Graham Norton exactly why she didn't appear in the "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts" special on HBO Max.

In the YouTube clip, which can be seen above, Rowling told Norton "I was asked to be on that, and I decided I didn't want to do it."

"I thought it was about the films more than the books, quite rightly. That was what the anniversary was about," she continued, adding, "No one said don't [do it]...I was asked to do it and I decided not to."

The conversation then turned to her controversial social media presence. She had received death threats after "The Satanic Verses" author Salman Rushdie was stabbed in public, but Rowling says that she now has a "love-hate relationship" with social media and Twitter in particular.

"I try to behave online as I would like others to behave," Rowling told Graham Norton, adding, "I've never threatened anyone." She added, "I certainly wouldn't want anyone to go to their houses or anything like that," possibly referring to a time when she was doxxed by activists last November, months before the reunion special was released.

"Social media can be a lot of fun, and I do like the pub argument aspect of it. That can be a fun thing to do," Rowling said, adding, "I sort of have a love-hate relationship with it now. I can happily go for a few days without getting into a [virtual] pub brawl."

After Rowling posted what many perceived to be an anti-trans essay on her website in 2020, many stars of “Harry Potter” 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.”

In 2020, Rupert Grint told The Times that he also supported the trans community.

“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.”