The Beauty and the Beast actress has been accused of being anti-feminist for going topless during a magazine shoot – despite being an active ambassador for women

Actress Emma Watson has hit back at critics who called her anti-feminist for posing topless in a recent magazine shoot.

During an interview with co-star Dan Stevens to promote their forthcoming Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast.

Emma was asked about the recent controversy surrounding her cover shoot for Vanity Fair.

In the artistic shot, the 26-year-old former Harry Potter star appeared topless with a daringly revealing shawl draped over her shoulders.

Flashing more flesh than we are used to seeing in Disney princesses.

But despite the fact Emma is a UN ambassador, a passionate speaker on feminist issues and led the HeForShe campaign – which encourages men to play an active part in reducing the gender gap – critics have described her revealing shoot as anti-feminist.

The bemused star has finally addressed this widespread criticism, saying: “It just always reveals to me what a – how many misconceptions there are and misunderstanding there is.

“Feminism is about giving women choice. Feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women with (sic).

“It’s about freedom. It’s about liberation. It’s about equality.

“I really don’t know what my t*ts have to do with it. It’s very confusing. I’m confused. Most people are confused. I’m always just kind of quietly stunned.”

Dan Stevens, who plays the Beast in their upcoming movie, asked her what people were saying about her, to which Emma replied: “They were saying that I couldn’t be a feminist and… and have boobs.”

She also opened up about the shoot itself, admtting she was surprised when she saw the photograph.

“I was honestly slightly taken aback by it because it sort of hadn’t – you know – we’d been doing so many crazy things on that shoot but it had really felt incredibly artistic and I’d been so creatively involved and engaged with Tim [Walker] and I was so thrilled with how interesting and beautiful the photographs were.”

In a recent interview, Emma opened up about the criticism she faces for being a proud feminist saying: “There is a level of criticism that comes with being an actress and a public figure, which I expect, but once you take a stance on something like feminism, that’s a completely different ball game.

“There were a couple of days when I just didn’t want to come out from under the duvet. At first, I wasn’t sure if I should allow myself to be upset by it, but then I ­realised I needed to give myself 24 hours to sulk and then move forward.”

She added: “I’m no expert, and when people push me into a corner of ‘here’s Emma Watson to lecture you on ­feminism’, it’s uncomfortable because I am aware I have a long way to go.”

Emma is starring as Disney princess Belle in the forthcoming live-action adaptation of the fairytale Beauty and the Beast , which is released in cinemas nationwide on March 17.

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