In a new interview with Independent.ie, Evanna Lynch talks about her life post-Harry Potter. She talks about her recent trip to the Philippines with UNICEF.

“That was the really strange thing,” she muses down the line from her home in Los Angeles. “These people were living in tin huts with no sanitation, but they had camera-phones and knew instantly what ‘Harry Potter’ was.

“On the trip, I wanted to learn about the country and really get my hands dirty, but I found I was having to be a celebrity. I thought to myself ‘this is so useless’, and I felt like a bit of a bimbo, to be honest. But after a while I was like, ‘get over yourself’. These people want hope, and that’s what helps them in the long term. What they want is a voice in the world.”

“I’m aware of my ignorance of countries that have suffered disasters,” she says. “I often get caught up in feeling sorry for myself, and I have to work hard to combat that. Nothing forces you into gratitude more than being in a disaster-struck country.”

She also talks about when one of her projects, Monster Butler, which also starred Gary Oldman, was dropped (we originally reported on the film in June 2012):

“When ‘Monster Butler’ fell through at the last minute, I was heartbroken for a few weeks, but it was my first big lesson in LA,” Lynch admits. “I remember Jason [Isaacs] saying to me that to move out to LA, you have to make sure you really want it,” she continues. “People aren’t doing you any favours here. You can’t coast on something you did before as there are so many talented and ambitious people here.”

She goes on to talk about her other job, as a yoga instructor:

“The funny thing is that I’ve been told that to make it as a yoga teacher in Los Angeles is harder than making it in Hollywood,” she laughs. For now, she gives private sessions, and the occasional public class, where she mercifully doesn’t get recognised for her most famous alter-ego.

“Anyone who has been through an eating disorder needs to do something physical to give themselves peace of mind,” she explains. “I don’t believe in nourishing just one part of the soul or mind or body: I want to pay attention to all of them. I don’t think anyone can just be an actor. Acting jobs, when they come along, I see them as a real gift … but I needed a real person job. Acting can be very solitary, and very ‘me-me-me’. Yoga puts it all back in balance.”

Read the full interview, here.

MuggleNet’s global book club, Alohomora!, continues its reread of the Harry Potter series by discussing Chapter 15 of Order of the Phoenix: “The Hogwarts High Inquisitor.” Join hosts Caleb, Kat, Michael, and special guest host, Megan (me!) as we discuss the latest act of Ministry meddling at Hogwarts.

On Episode 92 we discuss…

• Episode 91 Recap: Fudge manipulating; Percy’s still a prat; Racism and other prejudices; JKR’s intentions; Molly’s validation
• PQOTW responses
• More Ministry schemes
• Who thought up these O.W.L. grades?
• Who knows what about Trelawney?
• McGonagall handles Umbridge
• Question of the Week
• Check out the Alohomora! store

To listen to the show, visit the Alohomora website. You can also subscribe to us on iTunes.

It is being reported that actor and martial artist Dave Legeno (who is best known to us as Fenrir Greyback) has passed away while hiking this weekend.  He was found in Death Valley in California by another group of hikers and it is suspected that his death was caused by the extreme heat.  Temperatures can reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit there so heat exhaustion is always a risk. An official cause of death has not been released by authorities.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family during this difficult time.

Daniel Radclife has been making the rounds doing promotion for his new film What If and his play The Cripple of Inishmaan. Below find some highlights from his appearances, and upcoming ones.

• Will be appearing on The Kitchen on Food Network this Saturday. (Thanks Mugglenet)
• Is going to be a guest at San Diego Comic Con on Friday, July 25th, to promote Horns. He will appear alongside Horns director Alexandre Aja and novelist Joe Hill in Hall H from 3-4PM to show off the trailer for the film, which follows “Ig” Perrish, a young man who sprouts horns following his girlfriend’s (Juno Temple) murder.

He was also interviewed by HLN, that may be watched below:

Dan also attended an advance screening of What If this past Tuesday, which we attended with our friends from Mugglenet. They have posted the full video of his Q&A with co-star Zoe Kazan, which you can watch below! You can also see a bunch of photos from the event over at Mugglenet.

Tom Felton confirmed to Feltbeats that he will be at the Grand Opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ Theme Park at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka on July 15th.  The park will have all the same attractions as Orlando’s Hogsmeade. Read on to refresh your memory!

ATTRACTIONS

Hogwarts™ castle is an iconic feature of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. Inside Hogwarts™ castle you’ll explore the classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including Dumbledore’s™ Office and the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Moving portraits and the Sorting Hat™ may speak to you as you journey through the castle.

You’ll also enjoy the world’s best attraction*, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, featuring cutting-edge 4K imaging technology. Get ready to embark on a magical journey through the skies, flying above the Hogwarts™ grounds with Harry Potter™.

You can also fly through the skies on the ride Flight of the Hippogriff™, a family-friendly rollercoaster that swoops and dives past Hagrid’s hut.

DINING

The Three Broomsticks™ a long-established tavern in Hogsmeade™ is favoured by teachers and students of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Butterbeer™ is a popular drink in the wizarding world. This sweet, non-alcoholic beverage, reminiscent of shortbread and butterscotch, can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. It is available at the Three Broomsticks™ and the Hog’s Head

SHOPS

In Hogsmeade™, a village where wizards reside, there is an array of shops frequented by students of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

In Honeydukes, you’ll find sweets from the Harry Potter stories, including Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans™ and Chocolate Frogs™ from Honeydukes™.

Step inside Ollivanders, a small, dusty shop, and choose from a full array of wands, or purchase replicas of the Harry Potter™ film characters’ wands, Collectible wand sets and more.

Zonko’s™ Joke Shop overflows with an assortment of unique novelty items and jokes, and Dervish and Banges™  carries all your Quidditch™ needs and you’ll find Hogwarts™ school uniforms and clothing including robes, scarves, and ties.

In Filch’s Emporium™ of Confiscated Goods, you can discover items from caretaker Argus Filch’s collection of treasures, confiscated from students of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

STREET ENTERTAINMENT

Enjoy a harmonic offering of songs by a choir of Hogwarts™ students, accompanied by their talented croaking frogs. Students represent each of the four Hogwarts houses – Gryffindor™, Slytherin™, Hufflepuff™ and Ravenclaw™ – and perform a range of familiar wizarding songs.

Cheer on the a colorful procession of students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, who have come to Hogwarts™ for the Triwizard Tournament™, and watch as they demonstrate their skill through enchanting performances.

Universal has released some footage from today’s Grand Opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley. Photos from the day can also be seen in our gallery!

Are you ready to make some travel memories? Visit Destinations in Florida to book your trip now!