When Emma Watson decided to don Belle's iconic gold dress for March's live-action version of Beauty and the Beast, the role came with a bit of a change: This Disney princess wasn't going to be gasping for breath in corsets or riding horses in dainty ballet slippers. She'd be a woman of action who goes after what she wants, be it her father's freedom or a romance with one seriously hairy (and brooding) prince.
Here's what she did to prepare for the high-energy role—and how she eats and exercises to keep up that same woman-on-a-mission role in real life.
1. SHE REDEFINED WHAT IT MEANS TO BE "THE BELLE OF THE BALL."
While some may dismiss Belle as delicate, Watson's portrayal sounds far from it. She specifically requested riding boots, instead of ballet flats, so her character could ride horses and run around the French countryside.
She also took her preparation for the film's iconic dance numbers seriously, as did everyone involved in the movie. The "Be Our Guest" sequence, for example, was filmed over the course of a month. "It was really just very technical, and because it was so technical, really sort of painstaking," Watson told Entertainment Weekly. "Yeah, it was tricky. But I think it looks spectacular, and it all paid off—so all worth it in the end!"
While some may dismiss Belle as delicate, Watson's portrayal sounds far from it. She specifically requested riding boots, instead of ballet flats, so her character could ride horses and run around the French countryside.
She also took her preparation for the film's iconic dance numbers seriously, as did everyone involved in the movie. The "Be Our Guest" sequence, for example, was filmed over the course of a month. "It was really just very technical, and because it was so technical, really sort of painstaking," Watson told Entertainment Weekly. "Yeah, it was tricky. But I think it looks spectacular, and it all paid off—so all worth it in the end!"
2. SHE STARTS THE DAY WITH PLENTY OF PROTEIN.
The star's a huge fan of Mexican food—particularly La Esquina in New York City—and at home, she makes her own Mex-inspired breakfast taco. "It's my special thing," she told said. "I make guacamole, salsa, and scrambled eggs, and then I cook the tortilla. It's pretty simple, really, but yummy."
3. SHE FOLLOWS THE THREE S'S.
Rather than logging hour after hour at the gym, Watson gets in 30-minute workouts when she works with fitness instructor Emily Drew. Drew's program focuses on three areas: stretching, strength, and stillness. Stretches help Watson's posture, keeping her looking long and lean, while the strength circuit combines leg, cardio, and ab exercises. (Drew credits stability ball exercises, like oblique rolls and ball passes, for the actress's flat abs.) During the stillness portion, Watson holds yoga poses and meditates.
4. SHE'S GOT A HANGOVER TRICK.
Watson's a fan of mojitos, and she knows what to do when you've had a few too many to drink: "An English breakfast—sausages, baked beans," she told a fan who asked for her hangover cure.
5. SHE BLENDS ACTIVITY WITH ACTIVISM.
Watson often goes on walks to stay in shape (though she admits it can feel "hopeless"), her most recent ones serve a dual purpose: helping her share books she loves. Watson's been tucking away tomes all over various cities as part of a Books On The Underground initiative, which encourages commuters to put down their phones and pick up a great read.
6. SHE TAKES THESE ON THE REGULAR.
The former Harry Potter star's big on taking Omega-3 supplements, which can reduce inflammation and risk of heart disease (in addition to keeping your mind sharp, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center). She's also into Vitamin C with rose hips. After all, you've got to keep your immune system strong when you're always on the go—and by the looks of her Beauty and the Beastpress tour schedule, she won't be slowing down any time soon.
