Month: April 2016

She may be only 19 years old, but Hailee Steinfeld has been famous for six years. She first vaulted to international attention at age 14 when her performance as a gun-toting farm girl in the Coen brothers’ 2010 epic, True Grit, earned her an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress. “Entering Hollywood so young, I don’t think I was aware of anything, other than the fact that I was having fun, in a serious way,” Steinfeld says, adding sheepishly, “I had no idea that asking 500 questions on set every day was too much.”

While the acting plaudits rolled in, Steinfeld was also quietly working on music,”since my parents bought me an amplifier and microphone when I was, like, eight—the worst thing they could have done to themselves!” Then, last year, she used her role as a college a cappella singer in Pitch Perfect 2 to unveil her voice, which opened the door for a record deal with Republic, her debut EP, Haiz (so-called for her fan-given nickname), and its megahit single, “Love Myself,” which broke 80 million views on YouTube.

Basically, Steinfeld knows how to make an entrance. “Love Myself” ‘s innuendo-filled lyrics stirred a media frenzy that was further intensified when Steinfeld appeared in the music video wearing a leotard emblazoned with the words SELF SERVICE. The formerly prim, headband-wearing teen, it seemed, had gone a little Miley.

“Obviously it was something I was aware of,” Steinfeld says playfully of the lyrical interpretations. Is it sex-positive? “It’s about how much power there is in self-love and being able to provide for yourself,” she says. “I don’t think loving yourself is easy, but I’m realizing the importance of it more and more.”

Steinfeld became a style star long ago, beginning with a Miu Miu campaign in 2011, and today hitting the red carpet in a series of jumpsuits and looks from Valentino, Stella McCartney, and Rosie Assoulin. The conversation turns to beauty, and she proclaims herself chairman of the Kate Moss fan club. “It’s not like top five—she’s my number one,” she says, admitting that “I carry pictures of Kate Moss to the salon” and to her makeup artist, Stephen Sollitto, with whom she’s worked since True Grit. But Steinfeld’s best makeup tips, and often her makeup itself, she steals from best friend Sophie Wood. “I nabbed her Laura Mercier Eye Art Artist’s Palette—shhh,” Steinfeld confesses. Her latest trick? “I use Scotch tape to get my eyeliner right, basically like a stencil. Sophie always sends me video links for new things she’s learned. Thankfully no one’s walked in on me attempting it yet!” Continue reading “Interview for Harper’s BAZAAR Magazine”