Emma Watson has ditched her magic wand and wizardry education at Hogwarts for her latest role as a real-life criminal in “The Bling Ring”.

In the film, directed by Sofia Coppola, the 23-year-old portrays a celebrity-obsessed teenager named Nikki based on the real-life Alexis Neiers, who was among a group of young people who broke into the homes of numerous celebrities, such as Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Orlando Bloom, during the course of a year and stole jewelry and money among many other items.

To prepare for the role, Watson did what any other celebrity-crazed teen what do: watch TV.

“I had a lot of work to get into the character of Nikki,” she told the Los Angeles Times at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday. “I watched a lot of ‘Kardashians’ and a lot of Paris [Hilton] and a lot of ‘The Hills.'”

The former “Harry Potter” actress also revealed that what the group did “wasn’t about stealing,” but rather pretending that they were famous for a few hours. Moreover, she alluded to our celebrity-obsessed culture with tabloids and extensive entertainment coverage being everywhere you look, from magazines in grocery stores to television programs.

“I don’t know what to say about L.A. and Hollywood,” she said. “When there’s a demand for a type of shoe or an image, people will supply it. Reality TV is just another way of telling a story.”

While Watson’s character in “The Bling Ring” is drastically different from the beloved character of Hermione Granger she played in the “Harry Potter” series, it is not her intention to distance herself from the role that helped her achieved worldwide fame.

“I’m not trying to run away from it,” she said in a news conference at the festival, according to USA Today. “I’m very proud of the work that I did. I’m just really enjoying having the chance to transform into new roles.”

In addition, she said she experienced a more creative environment with her newest role. In filming for “The Bling Role,” she said she enjoyed having the freedom to ad-lib and improvise her lines with fellow cast members, something that wasn’t allowed when acting in the “Harry Potter” films. “I am used to really having to stick to my lines,” Watson said. “It was really special.”

“The Bling Ring” will hit theaters in the U.S. on June 14.

Since wrapping up with the “Harry Potter” franchise back in 2011, Watson has starred in “My Week with Marilyn” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”