'Feminism Is About Equality:' Emma Watson Fires Back At Critics Over Vanity Fair Photoshoot

LOS ANGELES (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Emma Watson has hit back at critics who claimed her recent photoshoot for Vanity Fair betrayed her feminist ideals.

In one image from the shoot, photographed by Tim Walker, Watson poses in a crochet white top that reveals part of her cleavage.

As CBS2's Erin Logan explained, the popular Hollywood star, and U.N. Goodwill Ambassador spoke out, saying she is 'quietly stunned.'

The 26-year-old Watson told The Associated Press on Saturday that the controversy represented "a fundamental and complete misunderstanding of what feminism is.'' She says, "Feminism is about equality and it's about choice.'' She adds: "Feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women.''

"I really don't know what my t--ts have to do with it," Watson said. "It's very confusing."

"They were saying I couldn't be a feminist and have boobs," Watson added.

Also confused was Jean Bucaria of the National Organization for Women in New York City, also known as 'NOW.'

"It really goes to the grain against feminism to have so many women pitting one person against the other," she said, "Here's someone who has stood up for feminism and equality."

New Yorkers seemed to echo Bucaria and Watson's sentiments.

"When we say feminism it means women have rights to dress the way they like. It's just her own choice," one woman said.

"No one should attack anyone. She's a grown woman, over 18 and she can wear what she wants to wear. if we don't like it, don't look at it," another added.

Bucaria feels wasting time on this topic is really a distraction from all the other things many women are concentrating on and should be.

"Access to birth control, access to health care. What is happening to families across the country who are immigrants," she said.

The British actress stars as Belle in Disney's live-action version of "Beauty and the Beast,'' which hits theaters next week.

Watson is a known gender equality activist and was appointed U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador in 2014.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)