INTERVIEW: Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld

At just fourteen years old, Hailee Steinfeld has already starred in the blockbuster film ‘True Grit’, worked with superstars Matt Damon and Jeff Bridges and been nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress! Get to know Hailee Steinfeld, the actress who is as smart and fearless as her cowgirl character Mattie!

Full Name: Hailee Steinfeld
Birthday: December 11th, 1996
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Height: 5’8
Favorite Movie: ‘The Social Network’
Favorite Fashion Designer: Marc Jacobs
Favorite TV Show: ‘Pretty Little Liars’

Describe your ‘True Grit’ character Mattie.
Hailee: There’s so much to this girl…She’s smart, she’s clever the way she handles her problems. She thinks things through all the way. I love the fact that, as much as she comes off as being this tough, witty, gritty girl, which she is, she’s still a fourteen year old girl. She still takes after her mother, the feminine side, but then she’s being confronted by these men, and that’s where her grit comes out.

What was the audition process like for ‘True Grit’?
Hailee: I came in at the very end of the whole audition process and I was put on tape the first week in January, I got a callback two days later to read with Ellen Chenowith, who was the casting director of the film, and they told us it would be a month if we were to hear anything at all, and five weeks later I got called in to read for the Cohen brothers with Jeff Bridges, so that was a little overwhelming.

Is it true that your mom made you an 1800s costume for the audition?
Hailee: She did! There’s something about this character that I fell in love with and as I was reading the material I had this vision, and I had to get in it, so in order to do that, my mom threw together a corduroy/burlap skirt and this ruffled up shirt that we found at a thrift shop. It was perfect, it was really great.

What did you learn by working with legendary actors like Matt Damon and Jeff Bridges?
Hailee: I learned a lot. I have to say though, I learned more by just watching them. It’s not so much that they personally taught me something, but I was fortunate enough to spend 3 1/2 months with them, so I learned a lot just by being in their presence.

How does it feel to be nominated for an Oscar?
Hailee: I’m in complete shock with this, I was excited for the movie overall, but I’m so, so excited!

Do you get starstruck when you meet other celebs?
Hailee: I’ve been meeting a lot of cool people and I get really starstruck. I met Justin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg, so that’s all I’ve been talking about since the day I met them. They are so sweet. Justin was actually at the LA screening of ‘True Grit’ and I saw him after the film. I went up to him and he looked at me and recognized me and was like “You’re amazing! Are you so excited?” and I was so starstruck so I had no idea what was coming out of my mouth. I said “Well, I’m actually more excited that you’re here, but the movie was good!”

How are your friends reacting to your newfound fame?
Hailee: I don’t really think they get it. It’s hard for them. I mean, as hard as it is for me, it’s hard for them too. But it’s interesting. This past year I’ve really been able to realize who my true friends are. I’ve had the people who’ve come out of the woodwork from years ago, and it’s hard. But I really do have some really amazing friends that I’m very thankful for.

Do you get recognized on the streets by fans?
Hailee: I don’t. And it’s funny, because I was actually talking to someone and she brought up ‘True Grit’ and it was the funniest thing because I don’t want to say, “I’m the girl in the movie.” She was just talking like “Oh yeah, the little girl in the movie was good.” She finally got the hint and was like, “Oh my god, you look nothing like you do in the movie!”

What advice would you give to girls trying to break into show business?
Hailee: My advice to them would be to study and have fun. If it’s what you love to do it can never be the wrong choice and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Just go for what you love.