The 25-year-old UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, who is worth an estimated $80 million from the Potter phenomenon, made the startling revelation during a recent magazine interview.
Emma and American author Bell Hooks interviewed each other for Paper magazine in which they chatted about Harry Potter, social media and feminism.
“I’m taking a year away from acting to focus on two things, really; my own personal development is one,” Emma admits to Bell.
“I know that you read a book a day. My own personal task is to read a book a week, and also to read a book a month as part of my book club. I’m doing a huge amount of reading and study just on my own.”
A keen student, Emma says she almost decided to devote her hiatus to doing a year of gender studies.
“Then I realised that I was learning so much by being on the ground and just speaking with people and doing my reading,’ adds Emma, who also wants to put more time into her HeForShe gender equality campaign.
“I actually wanted to keep on the path that I’m on. I’m reading a lot this year, and I want to do a lot of listening.”
Before disappearing from our screens, Emma will be seen alongside John Boyega in the thriller The Circle, and in the lead role in Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast.
Emma is yet to have a box-office hit outside of Potter. Her most recent film, the supernatural thriller Regression, is a resounding critical and box-office flop.
So what would you do if you could take a year off, with Emma Watson’s bank account?
Seems some of the The Carousel team already have their bags packed!
Robyn Foyster, publisher: My one year bucket list starts with more quality time with my husband and two children as well as a hit list of activities. Recently, I took up rowing at Mosman Rowers Club in Sydney and being on the water in the early morning is a beautiful way to start the day and helps recharge the batteries. You need to be totally focussed when you row in a quad. It’s a totally immersive experience and I’d relish more time to pursue this new passion. I’ve recently rediscovered old hobbies, such as horse riding, piano playing and yoga. I stopped playing the piano as a teenager simply because I didn’t like my teacher so I’d love more time to master the art of classical music. Chopin’s Nocturne Op.9 is firmly in my sights.My reading wish list is extensive and with a year to while away the time, I’d set myself the goal of re-reading my favourite books from Jane Austin to Charles Dickens.And finally, I’d stop gleaning travel brochures and book myself on a trip to Tahiti with the family. Does it get any better?
Millie Constable, online producer:
Mmmmm.. where do I start? Firstly, I would buy a big suitcase and pack it with clothes, books and a list of the best places in the world to eat.
I would then buy a one way ticket to god-knows-where and start my adventure. I would definitely choose a couple of months to spend time in one of the countries, volunteering.
After that I would basically I would eat, read and photograph my way around the world.
Bianca Spendlove, acting beauty and fashion editor:
I would travel the world, starting in South America, eating and photographing my way up north, stopping off for the occasional festival here and there. Then I would work my way through North America, and travel across as many states as I could in a luxed-out camper van. When I’m done there, I’d head up to Canada and ski in the Rockies while based in an amazing slope-side wooden chalet. In the evenings I’d eat cheese and wine by a fire. Maybe one day hey!
James Graham, news editor:
Golf. Enough said.
