Emma Watson is giving fans a glimpse at her personal life in a rare update.

The English actress, 35, made her podcast debut on the Wednesday (September 24) episode of the On Purpose podcast, sitting down with host Jay Shetty for a lengthy conversation about everything from her advocacy for gender equity and sustainability and challenges of growing up in the public eye to taking a step back from Hollywood and finding fulfillment outside of the spotlight.

During their chat, the Harry Potter alum broke her silence on her six-month driving ban. In July, she was ordered to pay a $1,396 fine and temporarily barred from driving after a speeding incident one year prior, People reports. She also explained that she has taken up a helpful hobby that has assisted her during the time where she cannot drive.

"I recently started riding a bicycle, and yes, I started riding a bicycle before my driving ban, but now it's particularly fortuitous that I also ride a bicycle for that reason," she said, joking that her "shame [was] everywhere" when the penalty became "international, worldwide news."

Watson explained that working on movie sets during her formative years gave her fewer opportunities behind the wheel as "they literally will not insure you to drive yourself to work."

"So I went from basically only driving myself on weekends or during holiday to when I became a student, driving myself all the time. I did not have the experience or skills, clearly, when I now will and do," she said.

The Little Women actress explained how the driving incident is an example of "one of these, like, awkward transitions I made from living this very, very structured life" to one where she had to figure things out herself in a way that she has "basically not done since I was 10 years old."

"It's been a discovery and a journey that's been, I guess humbling," she said. "Because on a movie set, I'm able to do all of these like extremely complex things, stunts, sing, dance... and then I get home and I'm like, 'OK, Emma, you seem unable to remember keys, wallet, keep yourself at 30 miles an hour in a 30-mile speed limit. You don't seem able to do some pretty basic life things.' ... It's been humbling."

On Purpose with Jay Shetty has a focus on mental health and aims to help listeners feel understood in the challenges and hurdles they face in life. The podcast has new episodes each week and often features special guests to "uncover a side of them we've never seen before." Follow along with On Purpose or catch up on past episodes at iHeart.com.

Sitemap