The Beauty and the Beast actor and UN Goodwill Ambassador hits back at critics of her braless Vanity Fair photo.

Beauty and the Beast star Emma Watson has hit back at critics who suggested she was a fake feminist because of her outfit a Vanity Fair photoshoot.

The UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, who rose to fame as Hermione in Harry Potter, was attacked by British broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer over the photo, in which a small amount of her breasts can be seen.

Hartley-Brewer suggested Watson's claim to be a feminist was hypocritical, tweeting: "Emma Watson: 'Feminism, feminism... gender wage gap... why oh why am I not taken seriously... feminism... oh, and here are my t..s!"

VANITY FAIR Emma Watson on the cover of Vanity Fair.

Emma Watson: "Feminism, feminism... gender wage gap... why oh why am I not taken seriously... feminism... oh, and here are my tits!" pic.twitter.com/gb7OvxzRH9 — Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) March 1, 2017

READ MORE:

* Emma Watson called a hypocrite over 'topless' photo

* Emma Watson pushes eco-fashion through new Instagram page

* Beauty and the Beast makes Disney history with gay character

Others suggested the 26-year-old's photo was no different to "lad's mag"-type photoshoots that were accused of objectifying women.

Feminist: Page 3 girls? Topless? Ban them! Emma Watson topless? Brave and Stunning! #doublethink #hypocrisy — brett caton (@bcaton2) March 1, 2017

Watson fired back in a BBC interview for Beauty and the Beast, saying the "topless" photo was not at odds with her feminism.

She said: "Feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women. It's about freedom, it's about liberation, it's about equality.

"I really don't know what my t..s have to do with it. It's very confusing."

The star said she was "always just kind of quietly stunned" by such attitudes towards women's bodies.

Fans agreed, and leapt to the star's defence.

@JuliaHB1 Feminism is about giving women FREE CHOICE. They can cover up or expose their bodies as they want. You've missed the point — Evie (@EvieA_x) March 1, 2017

Ah, I hadn't realised that feminism had a strict dress code. https://t.co/tRhT5tfR7q — James Holt (@jammyholt) March 1, 2017