How sick are you of having to explain your single status to your judgy aunt at family events during the festive season? Instead of sarcastically nodding through yet another session of “The One comes along when you stop looking” advice, why not nip the conversation in the bud with Emma Watson’s flawless new relationship status definition.
In an intimate sit-down with British Vogue, Watson opened up about being single in her (almost) 30s. Though she once believed being ‘happily single’ was something of a myth, through personal experience, she has since changed her mind.
“I never believed the whole ‘I’m happy single’ spiel,” she says. “I was like, ‘This is totally spiel.’ It took me a long time, but I’m very happy [being single]. I call it being self-partnered.”
While she discusses the fact she is dating around, Watson admits she won’t be seeking a relationship online. “Dating apps are not on the cards for me.”
Instead, Watson prefers to rely on her friends and their match-making abilities. “I’m very lucky in the sense that because I went to university and because I’ve done other things outside of film, my friends are really good at setting me up. Really good,” she says.
And even when things haven’t worked out romantically, she’s been more than happy simply to gain a friend. “Some of my best friends are people I got set up on a date with,” she admits, adding she’s still friends with many of her exes.
The Little Women actor turns 30 in April. She reveals she previously felt no anxiety around the milestone, but admits the lead-up has been “tough” to deal with, thanks to predetermined societal expectations.
“I was like, ‘Why does everyone make such a big fuss about turning 30? This is not a big deal…’” she recalls. “Cut to 29, and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I feel so stressed and anxious. And I realise it’s because there is suddenly this bloody influx of subliminal messaging around.
“If you have not built a home, if you do not have a husband, if you do not have a baby, and you are turning 30, and you’re not in some incredibly secure, stable place in your career, or you’re still figuring things out… There’s just this incredible amount of anxiety.”
A recognised activist, fashion icon, and arguably one of the biggest actors in the world — yet somehow, Emma Watson remains incredibly relatable.