Baftas 2022: Rebel Wilson makes dig at JK Rowling over transgender comments

Harry Potter author drew fresh criticism for her remarks about trans rights this week

Baftas 2022 host Rebel Wilson made a dig at JK Rowling as she opened the awards ceremony on Sunday night (13 March).

The comedian – who, over the last year, has been documenting her weight loss journey on Instagram – addressed the fact that she is “looking different” and that she has had a “transformation”, quipping: “I hope JK Rowling still approves.”

Wilson’s joke was a reference to Rowling’s controversial views on transgender people. This week, the author was criticised on social media for a tweet about International Women’s Day.

In a thread criticising the Labour Party’s stance on gender and equality, the Harry Potter novelist wrote: “Apparently, under a Labour government, today will become We Who Must Not Be Named Day.”

Rowling also hit out at Nicola Sturgeon for a law proposed in Scotland that would simplify how trans people’s genders are recognised.

Rowling’s views on trans rights have provoked backlash in the past. American Crime Story actor Sarah Paulson once told Rowling to “shut up” in an Instagram post, while several Harry Potter stars have distanced themselves from the author.

She has repeatedly rejected the idea that she is “transphobic” and has said that she “knows and loves” trans people.

JK Rowling (PA Wire)

At this year’s Baftas – which took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London – Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic Dune led the pack with 11 nominations, closely followed by Jane Campion’s western The Power of the Dog, which amassed a total of eight.

See the full winners list here.