Category: News

Dickinson, the Hailee Steinfeld-fronted half-hour comedy, has been picked up for a third season by Apple.

This comes ahead of the launch of its second season, which the streamer has set for Friday, January 8. Joining as guest stars for the second season are Nick Kroll, Timothy Simons, Ayo Edebiri and Will Pullen. Watch a first look at Season 2 above.

The early renewal comes a few months after the show’s creator, showrunner and exec producer Alena Smith struck an overall deal with the streamer.

Dickinson is one of Apple TV+’s best-received series, and the renewal means it is the first original series to make it to a third season for the third platform. The show comes from wiip, Anonymous Content and Sugar23.

On a per-minute basis, Apple TV+’s Dickinson is probably the densest show on TV, in terms of a combination of literary references, a contemporary soundtrack, and scenes that can suddenly shift from hard comedy to poignancy. Balancing it all at the show’s center, there’s Hailee Steinfeld as the legendary Emily Dickinson herself, playing a brash young version of the great poet who alternately sulky and cutting and enthusiastic about throwing ragers. Dickinson is Steinfeld’s first TV show, after a movie career of attention-grabbing performances from her breakout in True Grit through The Edge of Seventeen and Bumblebee. In making the show, she relished the chance to dig deeper into a single character, as Steinfeld told Vulture over the phone. Along the way, she also found herself thinking about her own career, her fame, and even her approach to the music she makes.

I feel like Emily Dickinson, known late-in-life shut-in, would handle quarantine pretty well. Has playing her helped you get through all this?
In the beginning, it did. At this point? Not so sure. But I’ve had conversations with castmates and [Dickinson creator] Alena [Smith] about how Emily would’ve had no problem with this whatsoever.

Have you done any bread-baking? The bread Emily makes on the show looks so good.
I have not, but you’ve given me something to do now.

In the first season, the scenes that really stood out are those fights between Emily and her father, with you and Toby Huss facing off, especially the one where he slaps her and she disassociates and “goes to the circus.” What was it like to film that?
That relationship was one of my favorites to figure out. Having all 10 scripts at the beginning, I loved that I was able to see this clear arc, but the discoveries as we filmed kept happening. Toby and I had so many conversations that were fun to have and uncomfortable to have about that relationship, which is very loving and protective. It’s complicated and tricky.

Was there a moment where the relationship clicked for you?
I had a few, and luckily the first one came in the first episode, with the scene where the whole family is sitting around the table and Emily decides to announce that her poem is being published and all hell breaks loose. That was a moment I had on set with Toby where I feel like we really locked. The scene was rewritten a few times, and Alena was very particular with every word, and once we nailed it, that was definitely a moment.

Emily’s other defining relationship is with Sue Gilbert, played by Ella Hunt. They don’t even necessarily have the words to describe the love they feel for each other. How was it figuring out how to play that?
I don’t know how to describe how the dynamic was different to me than making a film, but because each episode felt like making a film, it felt like we had dug so deep. Ella and I were able to have the time to have these conversations, and I don’t know if I’ve had conversations with actors as I’ve had with this project. Ones where you set aside the time and sit down and discuss. Sue was somebody that saw Emily for who she was. A lot of people had all these opinions and preconceived notions about this person, and Sue saw through that. It’s a really beautiful relationship that happens to be between two women who just see each other. Continue reading “Dickinson Has Hailee Steinfeld Thinking a Lot About Fame”

Is there anything Hailee Steinfeld can’t do? The 23-year-old actress (Oscar-nominated, mind you) and singer (she recently released her EP Half-Written Story) has won millions over with her wide range of talents. After one phone call with her, however, I found myself even more impressed by how passionate she is speaking about building up self-confidence.

“I learn the importance of self-love more and more as each day goes by. The power that comes with it can change your life, but it takes time—at least, it did for me,” Hailee says. “Society’s standards constantly change and are confusing. We see this feed of altered images and think, Oh, this is what people like. If this is what people are attracted to, is that what you have to be?”

She confronted insecurity at a young age, while doing photo shoots. “I would see the photos and the beauty marks on my face would get taken out of the image. I would see myself without them and think. Oh god, they’re not beautiful. They’re ugly,” she recalled. “Now, I’ve learned to love these marks even if someone else classifies them as imperfections or not beautiful.”

As for how she reminds herself to stay positive she shared, “I tell myself that I am happy, to stand tall, and to smile. This makes me feel like I’m bringing out my best. You constantly have to remind yourself of how unique, beautiful, and special you are.”

Other self-care practices she’s been leaning on–especially while most of the world was still in lockdown–include “going for walks, getting fresh air–there’s nothing more refreshing than just waking up and filling your lungs with fresh air,” she said. She’s also been having sit-down dinners at home with her family every night. “I can’t tell you the last time that’s been something we were able to do,” she shared. “We’re taking time to reflect on who we are, what makes us happy, and what really matters in our lives. This is something that I’ll never take for granted again.”

On top of having her inner beauty practices down pat, she was also eager to share all of the beauty products she’s been loving (lucky us!). Keep on reading for her top five picks.

Kora Organics Noni Glow Sleeping Mask
“I feel like my skin is psychotically sensitive–so my beauty routine consists of very few products and products with natural ingredients. This is a super lightweight gel mask that leaves skin super glowy and smooth. When I saw this mask was a ‘sleeping mask,’ I was like no way, because if I put something on my skin for just four minutes it’s game over. I tried this and it’s actually my favorite thing in the world. I was literally receiving compliments on my skin over FaceTime–that’s when you know this stuff is working.” Continue reading “5 Beauty Products Hailee Steinfeld Swears By”

23-year-old Hailee Steinfeld is an artist of ambidexterity, showcasing supremacy across an impressive repertoire of on-screen roles in film and television, most notably in the award-winning movies True Grit and The Edge of Seventeen, while also boasting a long-standing discography in pop-leaning music. Currently executive producing and starring in Alena Smith’s historical drama series Dickinson as the trailblazing female poet of the 1850s Emily Dickinson and simultaneously riding the success of her newly released EP Half Written Story, Steinfeld is no stranger to balancing a multitude of highly-acclaimed, creative roles.

Garnering an Academy nomination at just 14 years old for her supporting role in True Grit, Steinfeld’s adolescent growth largely occurred in the spotlight, and a majority of her learned virtues stem from her various character embodiments. “There are characters that I’ve played that have taught me so much about who I am,” she says. “Even though I’m not necessarily going through exactly what these characters are going through as I play them out in my real life, I still get to grow through those experiences and learn about myself every step of the way.” For Steinfeld, acting provides an exploratory insight into her own identity as she enters different mindscapes in pursuit of perfecting her entertainment abilities.

On the essence of her fearless, history-based character in Apple TV+’s Dickinson, Steinfeld recognizes the importance of both upholding the statutes of the path-forging poet’s society-shifting work and the modernization of her narrative for today’s world, citing the role as a contemporary reflection of issues in the 21st century. “One thing I love so much about this show is that it is in no way putting anyone in a box,” she says. “I think that we are moving closer and closer to that in our world today. What’s so wild about this show is that it takes place hundreds and hundreds of years ago, and yet we’re still dealing with some of the issues that they were then. Our show looks at that time through a modern lens.”

On music’s terrain, Steinfeld is continuously discovering her sound with each studio session she traverses, and her latest project, Half Written Story, is certainly one of her most eye-opening bodies of work to-date. “I find that I’m in this constant experimental process when it comes to music,” she explains. “With [Half Written Story], I really just wanted to make songs that sounded the way I felt when I was going through what it is I’m talking about in each song, and I feel like I accomplished that.”

Seeking inspiration entirely from her personal experiences and aspiring to instill an unwavering sense of confidence in her listeners, Steinfeld harmonizes the lessons she’s learned from heartbreak, specifically on her chart-topping track “I Love You’s.” She expounds, “The ultimate message behind that song is realizing the importance of making a decision for yourself and sticking with it. I think when we experience pain or heartbreak we’ll look for something to distract us from that. I mean, I have in the past, anyways. I finally got to a point where I was like, I just need to regain my sense of self here.” Hoping to share that epiphany with the world, Steinfeld’s musical prowess is one of melodic self-growth and good-natured, lyrical wisdom.

At a safe distance, photographer Connor Franta captured Hailee Steinfeld in tranquil, self-isloation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, below. Leaving V with a final word of advice in these times of uncertainty, Steinfeld soothingly states, “Do your best to maintain a positive attitude and, most importantly, breathe.”

If pop music is a means of escapism, I’d debate that we need it more than ever. Thanks in part to Hailee Steinfeld’s “Half Written Story,” the first of a two-part project, that door to “anywhere but where I really am” is cracking open just in time for the weekend. That’s not to imply that Steinfeld’s new music is happy-go-lucky sugar pop; on the contrary, it’s a raw and emotive body of work for the starlet.

I spoke to Hailee in the beginning of March, just as the global lockdown began to hit the Western nations. Here are a few excerpts from that interview–and check out “Half Written Story,” below.

There’s this very polarizing topic of being productive while on lockdown. What’s your feeling about that?
Yeah, what’s funny is I’ve kind of gone back and forth on it. I’ve gone back and forth where I do feel, you know, I could get so much done. I have so much time on my hands, but at the same time, it’s kind of been, I think a blessing for a lot of people realizing the importance of just slowing down for a minute and taking a moment to appreciate what we do have access to, you know, and who we have around.

How are you passing the time?
I have done more vacuuming randomly than I ever have in my entire life. My life is sort of a constant cycle of packing and unpacking and sometimes I never fully unpack, and I’ve got one foot in one foot out the door, and so I’ve just kind of been like, nesting a little bit. I’m not used to being home like this. And I’m making my space as creative as I can. I’ve ordered some equipment to build a little home studio, which is actually something I wanted to do for the longest time. And I’ve finally been able to get around to it. I’ve also been working out a lot. My dad’s a personal trainer. So we’ve been getting really creative with our workouts.

It all sounds pretty relatable.
I also got a puppy recently, so she’s been keeping me pretty occupied, and it’s been wonderful actually being able to be home with her and train her in love affair so

Your song “I Love You’s” is about going through a breakup and not wanting to jump immediately into a new relationship, Can you give us a bit of the backstory there?
I went through a breakup and entered a new relationship probably too soon after that breakup. And I guess there’s never really like, a designated time you’re meant to let go by, you know, before jumping into something new. Your heart wants what it wants, and you listen to your heart. You know, I’m no expert at this, with relationships and what have you. But I’m learning as I go. And I realized that sometimes you don’t necessarily realize the importance of taking time to heal. I think a lot of times we, I mean, I’ve been in situations where I think I’ve convinced myself I’m okay. When maybe I’m not deep down. But anyway, I went into this one relationship. And when that ended, I felt like the wind had been just knocked out of me. I just was like, completely heartbroken. And I felt very hopeless. And so I made the decision of needing time needing that time that I needed in the first place to just heal and focus on myself and, you know, really gain clarity within myself that I had lost for quite some time. So that was kind of where the idea…when I first heard this song, I was like, “This is exactly what I said to myself.” So when I heard this for the first time, it resonated with me on a spiritual level. Continue reading “Hailee Steinfeld Releases ‘Half Written Story’ | V Magazine”

When you get an Oscar nomination at 14 years old starring opposite Oscar winner Jeff Bridges in a film from Oscar winners Joel and Ethan Coen your lot is cast as an actor in the eyes of the world. Such was the case for Hailee Steinfeld after her breakout role in 2011’s True Grit.

But like many, Steinfeld is blessed with multiple talents. The list of greats who succeeded in both music and film is a stunning one, from Barbara Streisand and Frank Sinatra to more recently Jared Leto and Beyonce. And despite the fact there is a proven track record of talented musicians who have dual talents (Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell were also acclaimed painters) there does sometimes remain a prove it to me attitude from fans when it comes to actors who make music.

Steinfeld proves it without a doubt on her stellar new Half Written Story, the first of a two-part collection out this Friday (the second half of the project comes out later this year). When you hear her intimate, her attitude in the joyous pop, the production and the passion she brings to the first five songs it is clear her love of music is genuine.

When you talk to her about everything from the Weeknd and Billie Eilish to the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac it is even more evident that, to paraphrase Elvis Costello, Steinfeld’s aim is true.

On the eve of the release of Half Written Story I spoke at length with Steinfeld about her passion for music, rediscovering vinyl during the pandemic and revealing so much of herself on the new songs.

People have gone different directions in releasing music during this time. What was your thought process in releasing the EP now?
It was a combination of things for sure. These are songs that I am so proud of and have had for a while now. This is a project that, unbeknownst to everyone else, has been pushed quite a bit. And if I could have put this music out the day I wrote it I would have. But obviously there’s so much to take into consideration. I was also away working on a TV show [Dickinson] and this was always sort of my time that I carved out for music. I try and do my best in working with my teams and making it so that I can focus on one at a time. So that whether it’s music or acting it’s getting 110 percent of me. So it is a very strange time to be putting out music. But I also sort of feel music has such a unique ability of connecting people and bringing them happiness. And for me music is such a release. And any time a favorite artist of mine drops new music it’s like there can never be a wrong time for that. Continue reading “Q&A: Hailee Steinfeld Opens Up On Personal ‘Half Written Story’”

Hailee Steinfeld almost held off on releasing her new five-song EP due out Friday.

With coronavirus shutting down much of the globe, the actress and musician says she wasn’t sure whether it was the right time to drop “Half Written Story.” Ultimately, she decided to charge ahead.

“It’s a bit strange,” Steinfeld, 23, told USA TODAY. “I go in and out about feeling strange about releasing music at this time, but I do think there really is no wrong time for music. It’s such a release. It has such a unique ability to connect people and bring a sense of happiness.”

Two singles from “Half Written Story” — “Wrong Direction” and “I Love You’s” — are already out, giving fans a good idea of what to expect. (For those not familiar: young love and all the angst that comes with it.) Steinfeld says that while she continues to evolve as an artist, the songs are in a “similar wheelhouse” compared with releases found on her 2015 EP, “Haiz.”

“It’s definitely me,” she said. “I’ve always felt very connected to my songs. I really am so proud of the fact that I made songs that sounded the way that I felt at the moment.”

Those songs touch upon familiar topics such as loss and heartache. Take, for example, these lyrics from “Wrong Direction”: “I don’t hate you // No, I couldn’t if I wanted to // I just hate all the hurt that you put me through // And that I blame myself for letting you // Did you know I already knew?”

A third EP, a continuation of “Half Written Story,” is due out this summer.

In addition to her music career, Steinfeld has been keeping busy working on the Apple TV+ series “Dickinson,” where she plays poet Emily Dickinson. The show’s second season wrapped shortly before COVID-19 put most of the nation under lockdown.

“It’s been an unbelievable experience to be on that show,” she said. “It’s been a big juggle with the music and the show.”

During these unprecedented times, Steinfeld says she has been blessed to be surrounded by family. Together, they’re helping each other stay positive.

“This is a very strange time for everyone,” she said. “You have days where I really find it hard to stay motivated and creative and inspired. I’m just really looking forward to getting back into the rhythm of releasing music.”

Actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld will showcase the latter talent when she appears on the May 1 “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

According to NBC, Steinfeld will be a musical guest on that night’s episode. The episode, like the past month’s worth of broadcasts, will be an “At Home Edition” featuring comedy from Fallon’s home and video appearances by celebrities.

Along with the Steinfeld performance, the episode will feature interviews with Jon Hamm and Brené Brown.