Harry Potter’s Katie Leung Opens Up About Cho Chang’s Toll

Landing a major part in a blockbuster franchise might seem like every young actor ’s dream. For Katie Leung, who stepped into the world of Harry Potter as Cho Chang in 2005’s The Goblet of Fire, the reality was far more complicated than she ever imagined.

Reflecting on her experience, Leung described the overwhelming nature of sudden recognition at just 18 years old.

"I don't think I did. It was overwhelming from the get-go. Being in the spotlight from that age, when you're already insecure, was difficult, to say the least. At the time, I was having a lot of fun. I thought: this is different from school, and I really did not enjoy school. So it was a way to escape. I'm still trying to figure it out, really, how it affected me."

She admitted that the whirlwind of attention was both exciting and daunting, offering an escape from her school life but also bringing new challenges she hadn’t anticipated.

Facing Online Backlash and Cultural Criticism

As Leung’s fame grew, so did the scrutiny. She recalled being curious about what people were saying about her online, even though the comments she found were often harsh and targeted her background.

"I don't know if anything could have been done back then to make things better or easier. At that age, you’re curious. I remember being very curious about what people were saying about me, and I was Googling myself. Nobody could have stopped me, because I was old enough to make up my own mind."

The negativity she encountered online, especially regarding her Chinese heritage, left a lasting mark.

Leung explained that the criticism seeped into her personal life and influenced her decisions.

"I think it just sat with me, and it affected me in ways like, 'Oh yeah, I made that decision because people were saying this about me.' It probably made me less outgoing. I was very self-aware of what was coming out of my mouth. [Success] happened by pure chance. And for the longest time, I may have tried to make up for it, and overcompensate."

The pressure to live up to the franchise’s success and the weight of public expectations made her question her next steps.

Struggling With Expectations After Harry Potter

After her time in the Wizarding World, Leung found herself at a crossroads. The enormity of the franchise cast a long shadow over her future ambitions.

"I remember coming out of it and thinking, 'Nothing's going to beat it,' because it was so successful. I remember being lost, going, 'What's next? People will have these high expectations of me topping it, and it's never going to happen.' I think I was so afraid of meeting these expectations that I gave up, or didn't give myself the chance, after it, to try and continue acting. "

The fear of not measuring up to her breakout role made it difficult for her to pursue new opportunities in acting.

Emma Watson Shares Her Own Reflections

Leung’s story echoes sentiments shared by other cast members. Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger, recently spoke about her own complicated feelings toward her time in the series. Last September, she revealed,

"I think what's interesting about being an actor is, there's a tendency to sort of fracture yourself into multiple personalities. I'm not just talking about the roles you play, but having the weight of a public persona, that sort of needs constant feeding and sprucing and glamorizing. It's very energy-intensive stuff.

I think I'll be honest and straight-forward, and say: I do not miss selling things. I found that to be quite soul-destroying. But I do very much miss using my skillset, and I very much miss the art. I just found I got to do so little of the bit that I actually enjoyed."

Both actresses’ experiences highlight the complex reality behind the magic of the movies, revealing the personal costs that can come with fame at a young age.