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Buzz Feed
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Tom Felton's Viral Comments On J.K. Rowling & Harry Potter Are Bad — Here's Why
Tom Felton is facing a ton of backlash right now, but I actually think it's fully deserved, so let's get into it. If you don't know, Tom played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter movies, and he's about to return as Draco again for his Broadway debut in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the end of this year. However, while attending the Tony Awards on Sunday, he was asked about J.K. Rowling's disgusting anti-trans comments over the years. (For reference, she also just launched an organization to help fund anti-trans legislation, which is described as a "legal fighting fund for women protecting their sex-based rights.") Tom was specifically questioned about how Rowling's controversies and anti-trans views have impacted him and his work. The full question was: "Does the sort of Twitterverse controversy around J.K. Rowling's views impact you at all or impact your work on the world at all?" First of all, it's incredible how bad that response is. It's even more embarrassing when you realize that a PR rep probably prepared it for him. Like, he's had years of media training and should have anticipated that every interviewer's first question would be about J.K. Rowling. And if this response ~wasn't~ prepped, then, well, double shame on him. Anyway, Tom has expressed similar sentiments over the years, like in 2022 when he claimed to "not know enough about the specifics" in reference to Rowling's constant blows against trans people. He continued by saying, "My dog takes up far too much time for me to go into such matters," as if that was a valid excuse. He then backtracked a little, saying, 'I mean, the obvious things to say are that I'm pro-choice, pro-discussion, pro-human rights across the board, and pro-love. And anything that is not those things, I don't really have much time for." However, in that same interview, Tom also talked about how it's okay for people to have differing opinions and that he doesn't "take any pleasure in putting crosshairs on people that may have said things that we disagree with." The issue I have with this, though, is that basic human rights do not warrant differing opinions. It's disheartening for him to suggest otherwise. Like, we can disagree about favorite colors and movies and foods, but not about the existence and support of trans people. Tom's response is a verrrrry different tune from his Harry Potter co-stars. For example, Daniel Radcliffe wrote an op-ed back in 2020 where he correctly stated that trans women are women. He also called out J.K. Rowling specifically, saying, "Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I." Emma Watson has done the same, sharing her support for the trans community in 2020. She also tweeted directly to her trans fans and followers, saying, "I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are." And Rupert Grint has also followed suit, declaring that he "firmly stands with the trans community and echoes the sentiments expressed by many of my peers." All three of these actors' 2020 comments were in response to J.K. Rowling's lengthy essay about trans issues that she published during Pride Month that same year. Since then, Rowling has taken aim at all three Harry Potter stars for speaking out against her. She also "jokingly" implied that Dan, Emma, and Rupert are three actors who instantly ruin any movie for her when they appear in it. And this is why Tom Felton's refusal to acknowledge J.K. Rowling's comments is so gross and disappointing. To me, it says that he won't speak out against bigotry or injustice simply because it benefits him. After all, in addition to starring in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway, Tom also implied that he'll have a part in HBO's new Harry Potter TV show. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he said, "I'll definitely be sneaking into a background shot as an extra." There's also speculation that he'll have a larger behind-the-scenes role on the production side of the series as well. Many veteran actors who've been cast in this new HBO show have also been asked about Rowling's anti-trans views. For example, Nick Frost, who was recently cast as Hagrid, said, "She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine, they just don't align in any way, shape or form."And John Lithgow, who was literally nominated for an Oscar for portraying a trans woman in the 1982 movie The World According to Garp, said he never expected any criticism after accepting the role of Albus Dumbledore. Then, when asked if that backlash made him question his choice, he exclaimed, 'Oh, heavens no.'In case you're curious, Lox Pratt has been cast as Draco Malfoy, the role Tom Felton originated, and Johnny Flynn has been cast as Lucius Malfoy, Draco's dad (aka the role some people thought Tom might play, as he's now 37 years old). Now, my personal relationship with Harry Potter has changed over the years, especially as a queer person. I'm a fan of the series, and though I sometimes struggle with the notion of separating art from the artist, I've distanced myself more and more from the franchise due to Rowling's comments (which is unfortunate because so many people have found a home in it!). I do believe the world of Harry Potter is bigger than Rowling herself, which is why I can understand when some of the stars publicly share praise for what she's built, especially since it helped launch their careers. However, it's possible (and necessary) to stand up for what's right and draw the line between criticism and blind loyalty. That's exactly what Daniel Radcliffe did in 2024, saying: "Jo [Rowling], obviously Harry Potter would not have happened without her, so nothing in my life would have probably happened the way it is without that person. But that doesn't mean that you owe the things you truly believe to someone else for your entire life." Tom Felton, however, is actively choosing to ignore the elephant in the room. It's disingenuous to pretend that Rowling's statements don't affect him, especially since her very comments endanger the lives of people in the trans and queer community, many of whom are his fans. To me, this implies that Tom cares more about collecting a paycheck than standing up for trans rights, which are human rights, and I desperately need him to do better. Looking for more LGBTQ+ or Pride content? Check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2025.
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Tom Felton fans miffed as he admits not being ‘attuned' to JK Rowling row: ‘The sorting hat was right'
Actor Tom Felton attended the Tony Awards held in the US on Sunday. Given that he gained fame playing Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, the actor was asked by Variety if author JK Rowling's controversial views on trans people have affected his work. He's now receiving flak for saying he isn't 'attuned' to it. (Also Read: Tom Felton to return as Draco Malfoy on Broadway's Harry Potter, fans say 'he needs to move on') When asked if the 'Twitterverse' controversy around JK Rowling's views impact him or his work in the world, Tom replied, 'No, I can't say it does. I'm not really that attuned to it. If anything, I have to remind myself that I'm lucky enough to travel the world. You know, I'm in New York. And I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter. And she's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful.' His response did not sit well with fans of the books and the films. One person sarcastically wrote on Instagram, 'I am so grateful to be part of a world that means so much to so many and brings people together. Harry Potter changed my life. I also think everyone deserves to be loved and respected while living wholeheartedly as the truest version of themselves. There. I fixed it for you.' Another wrote, 'Translation: I don't care, she keeps me employed.' One brought up how Tom's character, Draco, is sorted into Slytherin in the films, writing, 'The sorting hat was right.' A fan wrote, 'Very disappointed. You're not 'not attuned', you're ignoring it.' Some thought the actor didn't care about the issue because he is a 'cis white man' and is 'benefitting' from Rowling. 'The only thing I remind myself is that I personally benefited immensely from Harry Potter, so I could not care less.,' wrote one fan, while another commented, 'I'm a privileged cis white man, it doesn't affect me, so I don't care.' Some fans, however, came to his defence, with one writing, 'He handled that gracefully and with class. The world is very sensitive about every little thing right now. We forget her writing has zero to do with her personal side.' Recently, it was announced that Tom will reprise his famous role as Draco for the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. The announcement read: 'Tom Felton will reprise his film role of Draco Malfoy in the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Performances begin November 11 for a limited 19 week engagement.'
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Pyaar hua takraar hua
The Delhi Metro was recently seen trending on Twitterverse for setting a different sort of 'track' record. It had to do with a sound track. A Metro compartment virtually transformed into a karaoke lounge. Blame it, or credit it, on a trio of geriatric gentry who decided to dish out their singing skills for fellow commuters. The three spirited, silver-haired senior citizens took the Metro's Yellow Line commuters by surprise when they pulled out a karaoke mic, much in the manner of jugglers tossing tricks out of their hats. The spiritedness of their amateur performance quite rivalled that of an 'Indian Idol' or 'India's Got Talent' audition. Flowing forth from rather rusty, but gusto-loaded geriatric vocal cords was a classic Bollywood melody. High on nostalgia quotient, hot on cool quotient. 'Pyar hua ikrar hua' from Nargis-Raj Kapoor starrer 'Shree 420'. The performance won not only accolades but also the hearts of high-on-stress humanity, huddled upon handlebars ferrying them to life in the fast lane. It ushered a whiff of fresh air into the sweaty, stifling atmosphere of public transport riding a million crushed and rushed breaths. The episode threw Twitterverse into a tizzy. For better and for verse. It soon sparked a debate about public travel etiquette and observance of Metro rules. Metro rules do not allow for playing of music publicly on board. Such acts can invite penalty. The incident zooms the spotlight on related trends called 'headphone dodging' and 'bare beating'. Here's a look at some tribes of headphone dodgers that you may have encountered on your Metro or Shatabdi trips. Reel rousers You'll recognise this tribe the moment you embark upon a Shatabdi or Metro ride. Barely has the train chugged, or charged, out of station and you've settled into your seat, hoping to catch a few winks before the catering staff waddle up to thrust the meal tray under your nose in repose, your plans of a quick 'jhapki' are unceremoniously thwarted by disturbance dished out by another party. Heck! Assaulting your senses, particularly your eardrums, are drumbeats or deafening sounds emanating from the phone of your fellow passenger. Blame it on the Reel of a Diljit Dosanjh or Kapil Sharma show being played full blast by your neighbour. Minus headphones. Out of the window goes your contemplated siesta. You've been roused by a Reel addict. On a closer look, you may discern defining traits of this tribe. Tweeple from this tribe possess a peculiar propensity of being blind to a piercing or pointed gaze of disapproval emanating from the eyebrows of fellow passengers. This tribe also subscribes to the philosophy that headphones are for ornamental purposes. To stay secretly tucked away, like the S 400 missiles. This tribe truly believes headphones are not meant to be deployed, save in a war-like situation with a travel neighbour. Speaker syndrome This tribe is another stumbling block in any plans for a peaceful journey. The moment the train takes off, this tribe of Tweeple too take off. On an endless phone conversation to be conducted with their device speakers on. This means that they pour their non-stop prattle into unwilling, neighbourly earlobes. Much like a loaded pressure cooker blowing off whistles one after the other. The babble may be of varied kinds, depending on the gender. From domestic inanities about saas-bahu or bai intrigues to IPL predictions. From pontifications on the political climate to prophesies about Pakistani war machinations. This blatant 'bare beating' leaves you in a catch-22 situation. Any discreet attempts to drive home delicacies of social etiquette into a fellow passenger may invite dirty looks or language, or may be further drowned in the bare beater's babble darting to decibels more deafening than before. Alternatively, you may choose to plug in your own headphones at full volume, only to realise it spells double trouble. The deafening sounds from your own phone assaulting your eardrums plus being beleaguered by the bare beater's bombasticism. Multi-tasking mavericks This is a tribe of headphone dodgers who multi-task between varied types of bare beating. One minute they are playing out a video on YouTube minus headphones. The next moment they switch to loudly prattling on the phone in speaker mode. Then, they go back again to 'Reel' life. They bear an uncanny resemblance to a cricketer on the offensive, switching from batting to fielding. All this while, the poor headphone lies limp and lamenting, awaiting the life for which it was born. The curious case of not being able to make head(phone) or tale of it. chetnakeer@
Express Tribune
27-01-2025
- Express Tribune
Texas teacher Jason Buchanan doxed after inviting ICE to raid school over immigrant students
Jason Buchanan, a substitute teacher in Fort Worth, Texas, has sparked significant controversy after making anti-immigrant comments online that led to his personal information being shared publicly. Buchanan, who worked at Northside High School, used his X (formerly Twitter) handle @HookEm232 to urge U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to target the school, claiming that many of its students 'don't even speak English.' His remarks quickly drew backlash, and Buchanan soon found himself doxed—his identity and personal details were shared widely online. The controversy began on January 23, when Buchanan responded to a post from ICE celebrating the agency's recent arrests. In his comment, Buchanan suggested that ICE visit Northside High School in Fort Worth, writing, 'I have many students who don't even speak English and they are in 10th-11th grade.' He also mentioned that many of the students communicate with him through iPhone translators. His post immediately drew criticism, with many social media users condemning his comments as xenophobic and inappropriate for someone in an educational role. Instead of retracting his statement, Buchanan continued to engage with his critics, calling them 'dumb' and further defending his position. He also made additional comments about the agricultural industry, arguing that U.S. farmers should stop hiring undocumented workers to lower labor costs. His combative responses only intensified the controversy and further fueled the backlash. His name is Jason buchanan in ft worth TX — 🌴 𝓝𝓞𝓞𝓚 🌴 COMMS OPEN 🇵🇸 @shrimpynook 🦋 (@ShrimpyNook) As Buchanan's remarks spread, social media users took action by doxing him—exposing his personal details online. Gotta love it does good, it does GOOD! Already Doxed Jason Buchanan aka — (@Datvegasgyrl) Many demanded that he be fired from his position as a teacher, with one commenter stating, 'This 'educator' should not be working for your school district LET ALONE any other school for that matter.' — Moises Velasco (@alphabro125) In response to the uproar, Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD) launched an investigation into Buchanan's actions and removed him from his teaching duties. The district issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to diversity and inclusion, highlighting that Northside High School serves a large population of Hispanic students, with over one-third of the student body learning English as a second language.
