Emma recently opened up about how her character Belle’s love of books holds an important hidden meaning.
“[Books are] so powerful and they have the ability to change your life and your outlook, and this story really speaks to that, the sacred nature of books and their ability to transport you and empower you,” she told Mashable.
Emma added, “We still live in a world where there are probably over 80 million girls who won’t get to go to school just because of their gender.”
FYI: Emma is wearing Christopher Kane.
10+ pics inside from the Beauty and the Beast premiere… More Here! »
Stopping by Good Morning America on Friday (March 10) in New York City, the actress also revealed how her portrayal of Belle is different from the character in the animated Disney movie.
“She is a little different,” Emma said. “I think we had a little bit more space and more room to tell a bit more of Belle’s story in this one. I hope she’s a slightly more modern version…she was updated a little bit but she was pretty progressive in her DNA really. She was a bit of a rebellious Disney princess.”
“[Singing and dancing] is something I’ve always done and always loved to do, but to do it in such a beloved musical and when the songs are so well-known, I think I really felt the weight of that,” Emma added. “[I] don’t know how to explain it. It’s a totally different thing from acting in a way. There’s nothing to hide behind. It’s your voice and yeah, I felt very sort of naked doing it for the first time so I think that was the hardest.”
Don’t miss Beauty and the Beast when it hits theaters on March 17, and listen to the full soundtrack here!
Emma Watson on Good Morning America
Also pictured inside: Emma speaking at the SiriusXM studios for a SiriusXM Town Hall Special to air on Entertainment Weekly Radio that same day in New York City.
10+ pictures inside of Emma Watson promoting Beauty and the Beast… More Here! »
Emma Watson sings all of Belle’s classic songs on the soundtrack for the new version of Beauty and the Beast and you can finally stream the full album right now!
The soundtrack is in stores now ahead of the movie’s release next week and you can download the album now on iTunes or stream it below from Spotify.
Fashion brand Torrid just launched its new Disney Beauty and the Beast fashion collection, featuring designs inspired by the highly-anticipated live-action adaptation of the animated classic.
The Beauty and the Beast fashion collection channels the characters and beloved moments from the story throughout the 7-piece collection.
The limited edition collection is specially designed for women sizes 10 to 30 and available now at Torrid.com.
Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom, and Tom Felton, who was Draco, both came out to the premiere to support Emma in her new film.
While Tom decided to skip the carpet, and most of the pictures, Matthew was seen with his fiance, Angela Jones, on the press line.
Evanna Lynch, who played Luna in the films, gave a shoutout to Emma on Twitter just last week.
“#BeautyandtheBeast was amazing. Can’t remember being SO enamoured w/ Belle & Beast’s love as a child. Sooo beautiful, congrats @EmmaWatson,” she wrote.
Check out all the pics below and watch stars Luke Evans and Josh Gad perform for the crowd below!