Category: News

Producer James L. Brooks sees a similarity between Kelly Fremon Craig’s upcoming teenage comedy The Edge of Seventeen and his Oscar-winning film As Good as It Gets: Without the right cast, neither film could have gone forward.

At a Contenders panel moderated by Deadline’s Pete Hammond today, Brooks spoke about landing Hailee Steinfeld for the lead role of angst-ridden teen Nadine. “We had been at the casting process for some time, and if she hadn’t walked in, we wouldn’t make the movie. It was like As Good As It Gets; there was only one person who could play that part, and that was Jack Nicholson.”

The 19-year-old Steinfeld turned Oscar voters’ heads at 14 with her nominated portrayal of Mattie Ross in the Coen brothers’ 2010 remake of True Grit.

Brooks encouraged Craig to interview teenagers before making a movie about teenage life today, a development process which made all the difference in making an authentic, R-rated movie. STX Entertainment, the pic’s studio, stood by the filmmakers’ decision to maintain that rating. While many might expect a PG or PG-13 for a teen comedy, they might forget that The Breakfast Club, one of the classic titles about high school life, was rated R.

Said Steinfeld about The Edge of Seventeen: “There was so much I could identify with in this script. I have two thoughts: This truly felt like an honest representation of what being a teenager is today, and at the same time, people have no way of defining when it takes place, because it’s timeless.”

The Edge of Seventeen opens November 18.

Steinfeld said “The Edge of Seventeen” struck her as a film that connects to modern-day teenagers’ struggles in an unprecedented fashion.

“I don’t really feel like our generation has had that movie where we can watch it and feel like we are not alone… [where] we can watch these characters and we can feel like, “That is me,” Steinfeld said. “With this movie, I remember reading the script and feeling like I have experienced so much of what this character has gone through, and I have in no way ever been able to express it, and I think my nervousness came from doing the story justice and making this film so that people can watch it and see themselves in it.”

In light of the story’s relatability for today’s teenagers, Steinfeld stressed the relevance of social media in the film.

“I think [film’s inclusion of social media] talks about how we try and find that validation through a number of followers or a number of likes, and we forget … why we posted the photo in the first place,” she said. “I mean, the social media aspect in this film is so real — it’s not overdone, it’s not the center of the movie — but, like, it’s an honest telling of being a teenager and growing up.”

While reminiscing on shooting the film, the star shared her thoughts on working with Woody Harrelson. Steinfeld said their distinctive relationship is reflected onscreen.

“I think we personally found this timing and this banter that we had and were able to sort of bring to the screen,” Steinfeld said. “And I think our dialogue that was written by the amazing Kelly Fremon Craig was so well-written that … you just don’t have to do very much.”

Steinfeld said the script’s strength was due in part to Craig’s realistic vision for the film, which gave the actress some freedom during filming. Continue reading “A Chat with America’s Newest Movie Starlet, Rocker Woman: Hailee Steinfeld”

Rising star Hailee Steinfeld is creating plenty of buzz with the coming-of-age dramedy The Edge of Seventeen, out November 18, and the highly anticipated third installment of the Pitch Perfect film franchise. Since bursting onto the scene as a child actress in 2010’s True Grit, she’s become one of the most sought after young talents around. Having grown into a critically acclaimed, beautiful, enigmatic performer/model who’s gifted at acting in a wide range of genres, the world is now her oyster.

Here’s what you need to know about Hailee.

She’s into hardcore punk: Research for a film role in Ten Thousand Saints led her to hardcore punk music. She uses playlists as tools to help her get into character when preparing for a movie. She explained: “Music is a very big part of my preparation as an actor.” While learning about the music of New York City’s hardcore punk scene in the 1980s, she became a fan of Black Flag and the Misfits.

She was a child model for Gap: With her unique beauty and expressive face, Steinfeld is a natural model, representing high profile fashion lines like Miu Miu. She actually started modeling as a child for major apparel brands like GAP and Guess Kids. She told Vanity Fair in 2010: “I signed with a print agent before I signed with a theatrical agent, so I had been [modeling] for about a year before the acting really started to pick up for me.”

Her brother is a NASCAR driver: Her older brother Griffin is also in a high profile line of work. He’s a NASCAR driver. He started out in desert races with his father before getting into stock car racing in 2013. He is extremely popular on social media, whee he refers to himself as a “professional brother.” Obviously, Griffin has kept his sense of humor about having such a famous sister.

She recently became a recording artist: Last year, the Pitch Perfect star released her first album, Haiz, after signing with Republic Records. She said: “I started recording a couple years ago with a close friend of mine. It’s always been a passion of mine that really only recently I had the opportunity to do something with 110 percent.”

Facebook is her life: Like her big brother, Hailee is really into social media, and Facebook is her life! She shares tons of videos on her Facebook page, which currently focuses heavily on her music career.

She’s good friends with Taylor Swift: Someone who can teach her plenty about the music business is her good friend Taylor Swift. Last year, Steinfeld appeared in Swift’s Bad Blood music video.

She was home-schooled: In a USA Today interview a few years ago, Steinfeld talked to Andrea Mandell about being home-schooled, which she started in 2008. The home-schooling decision wasn’t prompted by her acting career, but because she was bullied in the sixth grade.

She was nominated for an Oscar: Steinfeld hit a home run with her first part in a feature film, 2010’s True Grit, giving a performance that earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

She wants to be behind the camera: She isn’t satisfied just being a movie star and model. Like a lot of other performers, she has a real interest in working “on the other side of the camera,” saying that she eventually wants to produce and direct.

Hailee Steinfeld wants to be remembered as “an artist that truly cared about the art”.

The 19-year-old first found fame as an actress, starring in movies such as True Grit and Pitch Perfect 2. However, she is currently enjoying huge success as a singer, and is keen to leave her own unique mark on the industry as a whole.

“I would love to be remembered as an artist that truly cared about the art,” she told MTV. “I think that some of the greatest artists of all time, and ones that I’ve had the honour of seeing, you can feel the passion, the persistence and the hard work.”

Hailee is doing her best to differentiate herself as an actress and a singer. Her new single Starving has become a hit worldwide, and the young star admits she was always determined for her songs to “make sense”.

“I never wanted it to be out of left field. I wanted it to make sense,” she said of her musical offerings. “I’m so incredibly proud of and so excited about my new single, Starving. I’ve been a huge fan of Zedd for the longest time. We’ve talked about collaborating before and we really were trying to be in the same place at the same time and find a way to make it happen.

“He is such a great friend and it was so much fun working with him. It was amazing.”

The differences between working on a film set and in a studio are multiple, with the pretty brunette admitting she loves the freedom of making music.

“There’s something so freeing about going into a studio. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, doesn’t matter what you’re wearing or whether you’re wearing make-up or not,” she explained. “You go into a room with people that you love and you feel comfortable with, and can be yourself around and be vulnerable and open up and talk about experiences. Magic happens in those moments.”

Hailee’s acting career isn’t showing any sign of slowing down either, and she will soon start working on Pitch Perfect 3 alongside Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson.

Hailee Steinfeld is on the edge of a major moment… and she’s about to spend some of that moment at EW PopFest.

The actress had star-making turns in movies like True Grit and Pitch Perfect 2, and her career is expected to reach new heights with The Edge of Seventeen, out Nov. 18 and produced by James L. Brooks. Further, her debut EP, Haiz, is out now, with hit singles including “Love Myself” and “Hell Nos and Headphones,” and she recently collaborated with Zedd on “Starving.” Now she’ll be performing and previewing The Edge of Seventeen this weekend on the EW PopFest stage. How’s that for a fab one-two punch?

Steinfeld joins an already stacked lineup at PopFest, including performances by JoJo, Nick Jonas, Janelle Monae, Tove Lo, and Jake Miller, to name a few. Guests will have a opportunity to pick up a mic on the Lip Sync Battle stage while Survivor lovers will have the chance to attempt some real challenges from the show. Fans of Gilmore Girls, Grey’s Anatomy, The CW’s superhero shows, This Is Us, and so much more will have the chance to see their favorite stars up close and in person, while Jennifer Aniston will be on hand with her Office Christmas Party cast mates and Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston will conjure up a sneak peak of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

EW PopFest runs from Oct. 29-30 at The Reef in Downtown Los Angeles.

Hailee Steinfeld seems to have zero trouble when it comes to accessorizing; she’s an avid wearer of chokers and even stacked her bracelets while celebrating Swarovski’s signature Crystaldust Collection. But one piece of jewelry we rarely see on the star? Earrings, since Hailee still doesn’t have her ears pierced.

“I’ve worn clip-ons before to events, which is always super nerve-racking because I’m paranoid they’re going to fall off,” she said when we chatted with her over the phone. “I’m just constantly touching my ears to make sure they’re still there. My mom wanted me to be old enough to make my own decisions about piercing my ears, and now that I’m old enough, I’ve decided I’m too indecisive. So that’s where I’m at.”

As for if she’d ever get anything else pierced, like her belly button or nose? “I don’t know,” she told us. “I think ears would be the only thing. I mean, that could change, but as of now, I have no interest in any others for myself.”

Fair enough, Hailee. The star’s making bare lobes look pretty chic, anyway. Look through for a few looks that Hailee, naturally, didn’t pair with earrings, then dare yourself to ditch your studs, hoops, and drops for a day.

After our live cover in LA with the talented Hailee Steinfeld, we’re letting you pick our Winter 2017 cover. You tell us, which of the two shots from photographer Yu Tsai we should put on the cover. Vote here.

Good news is you can vote every 24 hours until Monday, October 24th, so get voting.

The highly anticipated issue will be available on newsstands November 21.

We don’t know about you, but JJJ can’t stop listening to Hailee Steinfeld‘s latest single “Starving”! The 19-year-old actress and singer confirmed via social media this week that she is indeed working on a full album!

“Your girl is back in the studio. Working on that album she’s been talking about forever…” Hailee tweeted. In case you missed it, be sure to check out the “Starving” music video!

Your girl is back in the studio. Working on that album she's been talking about forever…

— Hailee Steinfeld (@HaileeSteinfeld) October 17, 2016

Did you know that multi-talented Hollywood actress – star of True Grit and Pitch Perfect – and one-time ASOS magazine cover star, Hailee Steinfeld, sings pop bangers alongside her mega movie roles? Well she does! We caught up with her in London to chat tour outfits, beauty tips and new-season shopping…

As well as your single Starving, you’ve got a film coming out called The Edge of Seventeen. Are you planning to continue both careers?
Yes I am! I love doing both so much – so long as I can manage to fit them both around each other, I will.

Who are your acting and singing role models?
There’s quite a few… Jennifer Hudson has done an amazing job. Justin Timberlake, too, as he’s in movies and puts out records. And Jamie Foxx.

What’s your favourite thing to wear when you perform?
I’ve just been on Meghan Trainor’s Untouchable tour and I enjoyed playing around wearing something different in every city, not feeling too stuck on one thing. I was trying to find out what I was most comfortable in on stage. I love anything that gives you a great silhouette. And I love any kind of movement, whether that’s something tied around your waist or a jacket that moves well with choreography.

How would you describe your everyday style?
I would like to be someone who plans their outfits! If I have an event coming up, I’ll think about it in advance – but then on the day, none of what I planned comes together so I end up being spontaneous. For the most part, I’m in my closet 20 minutes before I have to leave just ripping through clothes. I like to be comfortable and do something simple. But lately I’ve been playing around a lot more with accessories and having a lot more fun with it.

What have you bought recently?
I went on a little shopping spree before I went on tour, and also my mom who came with me on tour made some jackets for me, which was amazing. She was putting crystals on shirts, jackets and pants and everything! Continue reading “ASOS meets Hailee Steinfeld”

For an actress who came to the spotlight at the age of 13-years-old, following her critically-acclaimed performance in the Coen brothers’ film True Grit, Steinfeld has gone onto to carve out a stellar acting resumé – from roles in female-heavy comedy franchise Pitch Perfect to a lovesick teen in Romeo and Juliet opposite Douglas Booth – as well as a promising singing career with her recent US top 30 single, Starving.

But success at such a young age has meant finding her own voice hasn’t exactly been an overnight success for Steinfeld.

‘When you’re young and naïve, you listen to a lot of people around you suggesting different things. I’ve recently learnt to stick up for myself and figure out what I want. It’s important to say when it’s too much,’ she admits.

Something Hailee is proud to stand up against is the unrealistic expectation on women to act and look a certain way.

Following the release of her 2015 EP Love Myself, the star received criticism over the song’s lyrics that included lines such as ‘I’m gonna touch the pain away/ I know how to scream my own name’ along with a music video that saw Steinfeld wearing a T-shirt with the slogan ‘Self Service’, leading many to believe she was promoting masturbation.

At the time, Hailee came out in defence of the song admitting it was a song about female empowerment, both physically and mentally.

Looking back, Hailee admits: ‘The song was an anthem that makes you feel like you can walk out the door and conquer the world. That song been a constant reminder for self-love and confidence for me over the last year.’ Continue reading “Hailee Steinfeld Talks Taylor Swift’s Squad: ‘Women Banding Together Is Incredible’”