Category: News

Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow and Hailee Steinfeld are all signed on for the Elizabeth Banks-directed acapella comedy.

Moviegoers were still singing the tunes from Pitch Perfect 2 when Universal and Golden Circle announced Pitch Perfect 3 last summer.

Given the sequel’s massive box-office success, it’s to little surprise that the studio behind the film (that now holds the record for the highest grossing musical-comedy) waited only a month after Pitch 2’s release to line up the next installment in its acapella franchise.

With Pitch 2 still in theaters, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that screenwriter Kay Cannon and stars Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson were already onboard for a Pitch 3 and Kendrick took to social media to officially anounce the news quckly after. It didn’t take long before news trickled in that Elizabeth Banks would return to the director’s chair, followed by more casting confirmations that newcomer Hailee Steinfeld and alum Brittany Snow would also be back. But that’s where details on Barden Bellas 3.0 stopped.

Plot details surrounding the third film are being kept under wraps, likely because they are still being developed. Several of the castmembers yet to sign on have spoken out about how they are waiting for a phone call to return once the details are indeed locked and loaded.

“This process is such a long one and I’ve been through it before between the first and second movies,” Astin also recently said. “If the script was written and they knew what my role was completely and they were deciding to not let me in on it, that would be strange. But I know that’s it’s so in flux on a daily basis that they probably want to keep us out of it for our own best interest and we really understand that.”

With three years lapsing on-screen between the first two films, Beca, Fat Amy and three-time super senior Chloe were all presumably in their last year of college in the sequel, with Steinfeld’s Emily coming in as the lone freshman Bella. Until more details are released, it’s unclear what roles the graduates will have when they return and whether or not Steinfeld will get star billing.

She wore our fave high-street label to the Met Gala, so we had to chat to the budding actress about her love of H&M.

Tell us about your look for the Met. What do you like most about it?
IT’S A SILHOUETTE THAT ENFORCES CONFIDENCE AND FEMININITY

How does it reflect your personal style?
I PERSONALLY GRAVITATE TO STYLES THAT ALLOW ME TO FEEL A STRONG SENSE OF SELF BUT IN AN EFFORTLESS WAY. I LIKE TO EXPLORE VARIOUS DESIGNERS AND FABRICS AND PLAY WITH COLORS AND TEXTURES. I’VE EVOLVED AS A PERSON AND I WOULD SAY MY CHOICE IN FASHION HAS EVOLVED AS WELL

Describe how you experienced the design process with H&M…
IT WAS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT THAT BEGAN WITH SOME SKETCHES FOLLOWED BY SOME MODIFICATIONS AND ENHANCEMENTS. THEN WE HAD THE FIRST FITTING AND TOGETHER WE SHARED IDEAS ON HOW TO REFINE CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE DRESS. THE FINAL FITTING WAS LAST NIGHT. IT WAS A FUN PROCESS AND H&M WAS A GRACIOUS PARTNER.

What makes the Met Gala so special?
IT’S AN EVENT THAT I’VE BEEN TO FOR SIX YEARS AND THE EXCITEMENT HAS NEVER WAVERED. ITS A NIGHT TO TAKE FASHION RISKS AND CELEBRATE ICONS AND ART. THERE’S NO OTHER EVENT LIKE IT.

How do you find this year’s theme? (Manus x Machina – Fashion in an Age of Technology)
IT SEEMS SO APPROPRIATE IN THIS NEW ERA OF FASHION AND COMMERCE. THE DAYS OF NEEDLE & THREAD FASHION ARE OVER IT SEEMS BUT THE AUTHENTICITY AND CREATIVITY BEHIND THE DESIGN HAS ONLY BROADENED. ITS AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC.

How would you describe your red carpet style (not only for Met)
I WOULD DESCRIBE MY RED CARPET FASHION AS COLORFUL AND EXPRESSIVE. I LIKE THE COMBINATION OF THE TWO. Continue reading “Style Interview: Hailee Steinfeld”

If one pop star performing their hit song is great, being joined onstage by another pop star is even greater! Just announced, the 2016 iHeartRadio MMVAs will debut a first-time performance from Hailee Steinfeld featuring Shawn Hook on her hit track “Rock Bottom.”

Both Steinfeld and Hook appeared at the 2015 MMVAs as presenters and wowed fans with their red carpet looks. Now the two performers are teaming up for an exclusive performance of “Rock Bottom” that will definitely get the party started!

The Academy Award nominated actress first showed off her musical talent in the films Begin Again and Pitch Perfect 2. In 2015, Steinfeld officially became a double threat when she released her debut album Haiz, which featured her break out self-empowerment anthem “Love Myself” as well as “Rock Bottom.”

Hailee Steinfeld featuring Shawn Hook are the latest performers to join the already incredible line up for the 2016 iHeartRadio MMVAs, which includes Nick Jonas, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Alessia Cara! Also just announced today are performers Tegan and Sara and Fifth Harmony, as well as first time presenters Amber Rose and Superwoman herself, Lilly Singh!

Watch the 2016 iHeartRadio MMVAs hosted by Gigi Hadid on Sunday, June 19!

Could you imagine being 13 years old and getting nominated for an Oscar? Actress Hailee Steinfeld doesn’t have to. After her tour-de-force performance in 2010’s True Grit, the California native was embraced by Hollywood greatest in a way that has since been unprecedented. Instant fame followed and so did a few famous friends such as Taylor Swift—who insisted Steinfeld, be cast in her all-star “Bad Blood” video. Now, at 19, its clear as day that Steinfeld wants to be known as more than a mere Swift squad-ette in the music scene as her recently released EP, Haiz, proves. It includes the hit, “Love Myself,” a song that’s been able to crack the Billboard charts, as well as a duet with Joe Jonas’ DNCE group, on her latest single, “Rock Bottom”. During a recent trip to Toronto, Steinfeld—who will be performing at the IHEARTMUSIC Much Music Video Awards this year—opened up on proving herself as singer, actress, fashion lover and music fan.

What was the biggest shock to the system going from making movies to making music?
It’s so fast paced in music. With movies, it can take years. You get into pre-production and then you shoot the film and you hope that people see afterwards—if it even gets distributed! I’m also realizing the struggle of trying to make a relationship with anyone work when I’m on the road. It’s so crazy, you always feeling like you are filling people in. In term of being committed to someone, that seems so difficult but I believe you can do anything if you work hard at it.

When you perform a song like “Rock Bottom,” whom exactly are you thinking about?
So many people! The song came into my life when I was in a situation that so perfectly articulates. The song captures the complication and the roller coaster [feeling] you have when you are going through a relationship that’s complicated. I’ve had people come up to me and talk about how similar their situation was to mine. I love that it’s been able to get them through something that they are dealing with.

What advice would you give to someone who is living through a “Rock Bottom” moment?
Remember who you are when you are in a relationship. You were someone before someone came along and you fell in love with them. That person that you were—before you fell in love—should exist. That’s where “Love Myself” comes in nicely. Hang on to that person that you know that you are…nobody who comes into your life. Continue reading “Hailee Steinfeld on Beyoncé, Gucci and proving herself as a pop star”

There are times in a producer’s life when things just seem to click. Such a moment came for Sam Lassner, known to dance fans as rising DJ/producer Prince Fox, when working on his latest single “Fragile.” From his first touch with the arrangement to the moment he stepped in the studio with singer Hailee Steinfeld, the stars seemed to align.

“I lost my grandfather in November, and right after that is when I started working on ‘Fragile,’” he said. “His birthday is December 11, and so is Hailee’s, and she came into my life right after he passed away … I don’t know if you’re superstitious or not, but something’s gotta be right about it.”

If you focus solely on the piano and vocal lines, “Fragile” is powerful and raw in its simplicity. As a whole, however, it carries Prince Fox’s signature depth of sound and radio-ready accessibility.

“I’m trying to make pop music that has a familiar sound in the sense that its structured like a conventional song but is produced in a way that has aspects of ‘oh, what is this? This is cool, this is new. I haven’t hear this done before,’” Lassner explains. “On the other end of the spectrum, I’m trying to incorporate a lot more instruments int my production. Every record I have slated to come out, ‘Fragile’ included, I’m playing guitar and piano. It feels really good to put that back into the mix”

Lassner was first presented with the bare bones of “Fragile” by songwriter buddy Lil Aaron, and it immediately spoke to him. He re-arranged it, changed some things here and there, and imbued the concept with the production style he calls “future pop.” The reaction all around, from Aaron and his team to Prince Fox’s label was, to use Lassner’s words, “freaking out.” Continue reading “Prince Fox & Hailee Steinfeld Join Forces on New Single ‘Fragile’: Exclusive”

We love Hailee Steinfeld on Twitter for a million reasons. She always tells us when she’s working on new music in the studio, shares her amazing #OOTD’s with us and most importantly makes us LOL on a daily basis — she’s legit the most relatable celebrity in Hollywood. Every time Hailee opens her mouth, it feels like she’s speaking directly to us. Haiz recently did an *epic* Twitter Q & A with the hashtag #AskHailee and her answers are everything. The brunette babe revealed something major about herself by answering the ultimate food-related question. Here’s the super important info that we learned about Hailee.

A fan asked Hailee probably the most important question that any human being can answer. “If you could be any pizza, what pizza would you be?” the fan tweeted. The thought of describing yourself as just *one* type of pizza is SO OVERWHELMING. All slices are amazing in their own way. But Hailee grabbed the question by the crust and totally slayed her answer.

Leave it to Haiz to think of an answer that transcends your typical sauce-and-cheese slice. “There’s a restaurant in LA called Craig’s that has a chocolate pizza on their menu. If I could be any pizza, I would be the chocolate pizza at Craig’s.” Hailee spilled. The singer then brought up a super important point. “But, I don’t know how long I’d last, which is sad to think about. But that’s what I’d be.” This is a totally valid statement considering if we were lucky enough to get our hands on a *chocolate pizza* we’d demolish it within 0.389 seconds.

This answer is classic Haiz — the babe is addicted to chocolate! Her love for cocoa is so strong, that she even sacrificed her Met Gala mani for a box of chocolates. It’s official — Hailee Steinfeld is our celebrity soul sister.

Who dressed Hailee Steinfeld for one of the hottest fashion events of the year? None other than our fave Swedish fast fashion retailer – H&M! We asked the gorgeous actress/singer all about the glam look she rocked at last night’s Met Gala.

What do you like most about your look for the Met?
It’s a silhouette that enforces confidence and femininity.

How does it reflect your personal style?
I personally gravitate towards styles that give me a strong sense of self, but in an effortless way. I like to explore various designers and fabrics and play with colours and textures. I’ve evolved as a person and I would say my fashion sense has evolved as well.

What was the design process with H&M like?
It was a collaborative effort that began with some sketches, followed by some modifications and enhancements. Then, we had the first fitting together and we shared ideas about how to refine certain aspects of the dress. The final fitting was last night. It was a fun process and H&M was a gracious partner.

What makes the Met Gala so special?
It’s an event I have been going to for six years now, and the excitement has never wavered. It’s a night to take fashion risks and to celebrate icons and art. There’s no other event quite like it.

What did you think of this year’s theme? (Manus x Machina – Fashion in an Age of Technology)
It seems so appropriate in this new era of fashion and commerce. The days of needle and thread fashion are over it seems, but the authenticity and creativity behind the design has only broadened. It’s an interesting dynamic.

How would you describe your red carpet style in general?
I would describe my red carpet fashion as colourful and expressive. I like the combination of the two.

What’s your best style advice for the perfect red carpet look?
Just do “you”. If you’re forcing a look or style that feels compromising, then find something else to wear.

Hailee Steinfeld celebrated her debut as cover girl and guest editor for the sixth edition of harper by Harper’s Bazaar Friday at the aptly named Sunset Tower Hotel. With the pink-and-purple-streaked sky on the terrace providing the perfect backdrop, Steinfeld caught up with girlfriends Bailee Madison, Joey King and Kiernan Shipka and posed for photos with Bazaar’s Laura Brown. In between the flurry of activity, the 19-year-old singer and actress chatted with WWD about her new music, her respect for fashion designers and being in Taylor Swift’s girl squad.

WWD: What was the most memorable moment of the shoot for you?
Hailee Steinfeld: I got to bring my dream team for hair and makeup, Bobby Eliot and Stephen Sollitto. They have been with me for so long. Every time I’m with them, I’m reminded how lucky I am to get to do what I do.

WWD: You’ve just released your first EP, “Haiz.” What’s your reaction to the response it’s received?
H.S.: It’s been very overwhelming how positive everything has been. My fans have been so genuinely supportive having been with me since my movies and crossing over with me to music. Music has always been a passion and it’s always been a part of the plan to record it and put it out into the world, but I never could have planned the way it’s gone. It’s been so seamless and surreal.

WWD: We’re digging the second single “Rock Bottom” featuring DNCE. Where did the inspiration come from?
H.S.: The song was written by Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter. “Rock Bottom” is not a love song, it’s not a breakup song; it’s that perfect in-between of that type of relationship I feel everyone’s been in, where you love a person so much, but they drive you absolutely insane and you let them because you love them. And that’s what keeps you coming back for more.

WWD: Do you find it difficult to balance your acting and music career?
H.S.: It’s not easy. It can be frustrating when it comes to picking one, but it’s been done, so I will continue to do both and do whatever I can to make it work. Right now, music is my main focus and it’s where every part of me is at. So I’m working on my album, I’ll be going on tour this summer with Meghan Trainor, and we’ll see what happens. Continue reading “Five Minutes With Hailee Steinfeld: Music, Miu Miu and Girl Squads”

If you’re a fan of Hailee Steinfeld, you’re probably already familiar with her work in movies like True Grit and Ender’s Game, her appearance in Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” music video, and her EP Haiz. But you might not be as familiar with her upcoming movie Term Life, and that’s totally not your fault, because for a while it wasn’t even certain if this movie was going to happen. Hailee Steinfeld was cast in Term Life in fall 2013, but shortly thereafter it was announced that Universal Pictures was dropping the film. It appeared that Term Life was done and over with, but then the project was salvaged by a new company, and the movie began shooting in March 2014. Finally, it became available on demand on Feb. 16, and is now officially set to be released by Focus Features for April 29.

It’s about time! For the Hailee Steinfeld fans who have been patiently waiting for Term Life’s release, here are a few things that will make you feel confident that the new movie, a crime-centric black comedy about a thief (played by Vince Vaughn) and his daughter (Steinfeld), was worth the wait.

The comedy star plays a clever criminal who plans heists for other people to execute, and Steinfeld plays his estranged teenaged daughter Carrie. It’s a great match in terms of casting, and sets the stage for some hilarious conflict when Carrie unwillingly becomes entangled in her father’s criminal lifestyle.

Carrie wants nothing to do with her dad, or really anyone, for that matter. The teenage angst is tangible, and the trailer alone has multiple moments that show off Steinfeld’s skill at playing a moody adolescent with a dirty mouth.

Superfans will notice that this isn’t the first time Steinfeld has played the estranged daughter of an “armed and dangerous” male character; 2014’s 3 Days to Kill featured her as the child of a CIA agent played by Kevin Costner.

Although it’s been a long, arduous ride, Steinfeld fans can have confidence that Term Life will finally be released this spring. Kudos for your patience, and here’s to hoping that the movie prove to be 100% worth the wait.

A couple of months ago we showed you a video of Hailee Steinfeld fucking around in a studio with our favourite nu-pop writer/producer/rap game mogul lil aaron.

We now know that was to put together a song called Fragile, which is the new single by Republic-signed LA producer Prince Fox, who “approaches making electronic dance music with a classic ear for songwriting.”

Fragile will be out on May 6!