Emma Watson slammed for supporting ‘abusive’ Brad’s new gin

Emma Watson has come under fire for championing Brad Pitt’s new gin venture, with critics furious the outspoken feminist is backing a man who allegedly assaulted his ex-wife and children.

Hot on the heels of launching her own Renais Gin with her younger brother Alex, Emma Watson has sparked outrage for appearing to lend support to Brad Pitt on the announcement of his forthcoming spirit The Gardener Gin.

Both gins made by the Hollywood stars are produced in France, with Watson’s hailing from Chablis and Pitt’s from the French Riviera.

With the two products unveiled within weeks of each other, and both with French origin, Watson (who got her product out first) reached out to Pitt on Instagram.

“Welcome from Chablis Brad! Do you also have an annoying younger brother who’s obsessed with niche beverages?”

Alex Watson then added, “First rule of French gin club is: you DO tell everyone about French gin club .”

The Gardener Gin brand responded to the Watsons posts by saying: “Glad to join this secret club with you Emma. Here too, we have an entire family obsessed with fine beverages ”

Pitt’s gin brand, which he launched in partnership with distiller Tom Nichol and the Perrin Family (which co-owns the star’s Miraval wine brand), then extended a warm invitation to the Watsons to taste The Gardener, writing:

“As member of the French Gin Club, we’d be glad to taste your new elixir and to share some of our gin with you. If the Watson family pass by the French Riviera, you’re very welcome at home!”

Huge pivot

However, the dialogue between the two celebrities has not gone down well with all.

People have taken to social media to call out Watson’s support of Pitt’s venture, given the domestic allegations that his ex-wife Angelina Jolie made against him in 2016.

Followers have claimed that supporting a man accused of domestic abuse is at odds with Watson’s passionate feminism, and her role as Goodwill ambassador for UN Women, to which she was appointed in 2014.

One Reddit user called it “a huge pivot” from how Watson has previously presented herself.

Others accused the Harry Potter star of using feminism for her “own personal brand” and pushing her principles aside when “there is money in the middle”.

In court papers from a 2022 legal case concerning the ownership of Château Miraval, Jolie claimed that Pitt was abusive to her and their children during a 2016 plane ride.

According to the legal documents filed, the couple and their six children were flying from France to California when: “Pitt choked one of the children and struck another in the face”.

The court documentation goes on to allege that Pitt “grabbed Jolie by the head and shook her,”, adding that at one point “he poured beer on Jolie; at another, he poured beer and red wine on the children.”

Federal authorities investigated the incident but declined to bring criminal charges. Days after the plane trip, Jolie filed for divorce.

Pitt has denied the allegations.

Watson is yet to respond to the backlash concerning her support of The Gardener.

The drinks business previously spoke exclusively to ex-Miraval owner Tom Bove, who sold the château to Pitt and Jolie, about how he felt about letting go of the wine property.

He recalled cooking for the A-List pair at the château and described them both as being “really very nice.”