Emma Watson will be playing the fiercely smart and intensely kind Belle in the amazing-looking live action remake of "Beauty and the Beast" that opens this Friday, but behind Belle’s signature (and very accurately recreated) yellow gown is one of the realest feminists out there, making Watson what every Disney princess should aspire to be.
Or should we say, warrior princess.
That’s what Watson said she would prefer to be called when asked about the idea of princesses and femininity in 2011, on a press tour for "Harry Potter."
And Watson is a warrior — for gender equality. The United Nations Goodwill Ambassador helped launch the HeForShe campaign in which she called on men to support gender equality, too. This week, as Watson launches for her big fairytale remake, we’re rolling out her best quotes on how to lead an empowered feminist life.
On Princesses
“I feel like young girls are told that they have to be a princess and fragile. It’s bullshit. I identify much more with being a warrior – a fighter. If I was going to be a princess, I’d be a warrior princess.”
On Defining Ourselves
"If we stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by what we are, we can all be freer."
On Equal Pay
"I think it is right I am paid the same as my male counterparts."
On Feminism
"It’s not the word [feminism] that it’s important. It’s the idea and ambition behind it."
On Beauty
"I don’t have perfect teeth. I’m not stick thin. I want to be the person who feels great in her body and can say that she loves it and doesn’t want to change anything."
On Goals
"Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do or achieve. Do what you want to do and be who you want to be."
On Growing Up
"Becoming yourself is really hard and confusing, and it’s a process. It’s often not cool to be the person who puts themselves out there."
On Self-Love
"We [women] have unbelievably high expectations of ourselves, when actually we’re human beings and our bodies have a function."
On Self-Image
"I don’t want other people to decide who I am. I want to decide that for myself."
On Brains
"Girls should never be afraid to be smart."
On Individuality
"Don’t feel stupid if you don’t like what everyone else pretends to love."
On Hobbies
"I want to be a Renaissance woman. I want to paint, and I want to write, and I want to act, and I want to just do everything."
On Failure
"I don’t want the fear of failure to stop me from doing what I really care about."
On Aging
"I’m excited about the aging process. I’m more interested in women who aren’t perfect. They’re more compelling."
On Stereotypes
"Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong."
On Passion
"If you truly pour your heart into what you believe in, even if it makes you vulnerable, amazing things can and will happen."