Emma Watson, globally recognized for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter saga, has broken her silence about the driving ban she has faced since July 2025. The 35-year-old British actress had to surrender her license for six months after being caught speeding for the second time, a situation she described as “quite humiliating.” In a recent interview on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Watson confessed that the most difficult part was not the penalty itself but how quickly the story became an international headline.

“Suddenly it was on the BBC, in all the newspapers, everywhere in the world. It was really embarrassing!” she recalled. The actress explained that much of her professional life kept her away from driving, which affected her lack of experience behind the wheel. “When you work on films, you’re not allowed to drive yourself, studios won’t insure you. It wasn’t until I was a student that I began to drive more regularly. I just didn’t have the practice before. Now I do, and I will continue to,” she admitted self-critically.

Watson also reflected on the contrast between the confidence she projects on screen and the difficulties she faces in daily life. “On a film set I can do stunts, dance, or sing in front of thousands of people, but in my everyday life I can lose my keys, my wallet, or struggle to stay within 30 kilometers per hour in a 30 zone,” she joked. The High Wycombe court also imposed a fine of £1,044 (about €1,200).

The hearing lasted only five minutes, and Watson did not even appear, so she thought the matter would pass unnoticed. However, the media coverage far exceeded her expectations. “When I saw the story everywhere, I just couldn’t believe it. It was very uncomfortable,” she said.

Over time, the actress has chosen to handle the episode with humor. She revealed that she had started cycling even before losing her license and now admits this alternative fits perfectly with her new stage. She also highlighted the support she received from her fans: “So many people wrote to me saying, ‘This also happened to me.’ That was really touching and meant a lot to me.”