Emma Watson is smart. And famous. And everyone knows you're not allowed to be both. And when you factor in that she's also in possession of legitimate talent to back up her fame? Well, that's almost too much for a bunch of jealous teenagers to bear.
Which is why, after Watson announced last month that she planned to become the anti-James Franco and take a break from school to focus on her moviemaking career, it didn't take long for rumors to surface that the party line was really just a cover story.
The supposed real reason for her departure from Brown University? The mean boys and girls who comprised the freshman class were supposedly so merciless in their taunting of the A-lister that the Harry Potter star had no choice but to leave the school.
Poison ivy, indeed. But is it true? Was Emma really bullied out of Brown? Get those spells ready, because this rumor is…
So false!
While the rumor mill recently heated up with reports that Watson would be teased with comments like, "Three points for Gryffindor!" whenever she answered a question correctly or attempted to participate in class, the actress herself denied those reports several months ago.
In an interview with Time magazine back in November, the 21-year-old fielded reader questions and one of them was about the supposed utterances thrown Emma's way.
"No," she replied when asked if such bullying comments were ever thrown her way. "Actually, I'm really glad that he asked. That has never happened to me. Maybe someone said it under their breath, but I've never, ever had anyone say that when I've been in a class."
Watson's rep confirmed as much to E! News, saying, "There is absolutely no truth in this rumor whatsoever."
However, it turns out there is truth to another rumor—specifically, the one about Emma leaving Brown altogether. While the actress announced last month that she would be holding off on continuing her education while she finished up some films, it turns out, she's only holding off on continuing her education at Brown, and, per her rep, will be transferring schools.
But not because of bullying!
"Emma has enjoyed her time at Brown tremendously and made many friends there who she keeps in constant contact with. She has now decided to change university, but not for the bullying, as that is just completely untrue. She has just decided to continue with a different course. But, for reasons of security I am not prepared to divulge which university she will be attending."
That's OK, the rumor mill has no such qualms. The most recent round of rumors has Watson pondering a relocation to (where else?) New York City, with Columbia or New York University likely being her top picks.
—Additional reporting by Marcus Mulick