Hailee Steinfeld doesn’t need to prove himself anymore.
She clads in a quiet, confident way as she walks into a room with sincerity and calmness that comes from Steinfeld’s experience after nearly 20 years of experience in Hollywood. But recently she had to adapt to something new.
Which line might you ask? “I heard you loudly and clearly, then you calmly stabbed your tongue and fucked me so hard that you thought you had changed your mind.”
Yes, um.
“I admire you and I appreciate you,” she says with a laugh, reflecting on her viral reception to the film, responding to fans who quoted it to her on the streets. “I know what the line is. You don’t need to tell me. People want to nurture certain moments in that film. It’s always annoying in the market and in the public space.”
That “line” requires no explanation to Warner Bros fans. A Southern Gothic epic that has dominated cultural conversations since its spring release. The moment Steinfeld’s character Mary delivered on a wet New Orleans train platform was cut out, memorized and replayed throughout Tiktok, with thought pieces and parody ignited in a similar way.
Steinfeld tells the Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast that there are no receptions of that type. “I certainly didn’t expect that line, or any of the lines people really ran from Mary. “I never expect these things to explode…and it’s always so funny to see what people run with them.”
In this episode of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Steinfeld is one of the biggest hits on “Sinners” and is the most undeniable nominee for the award of the season, about his experience with Oscar-nominated filmmakers. She also looks back at her first Oscar nomination for “True Grit” 15 years ago and bullies Bit from “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.”
This episode also features Tonatiuh, writer and director Bill Condon’s breakout star in the musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” Listen below!
Read the edited and condensed version excerpt below.
Hailee Steinfeld, “Sinners” (Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection)
©Warner Bros./Everett Collection
Your line of “sinner” has gone very viral. How was it filming that scene?
First of all, I don’t know you’re hoping to blow up the way they do in the end. It’s always so funny to see what people run and run with them.
When I read the script, there is always a scene or two with dog ears or red rings. That’s the hill you’ll climb. It’s difficult to eat you alive until you shoot it. We wanted to not film the scene earlier, so we had the time to feel based on where the characters were. Certainly, I took the photo first.
I was filming in New Orleans during hurricane season, so it all moved around. I got a call saying they had pulled the scene up. It was one of the two that we thought we could save in the end. That was the first time Michael (B. Jordan) and I shot together. I thought I needed time to build a relationship of trust with him and Ryan (Coogler). But it actually worked – by then our characters had lived some of the memories we mention in the film. It was like we did the opposite, but in a great way.
We didn’t do many take because we were fighting the light like crazy that day. I was rolling as much camera as possible, and I got as many as I could before the magazines were gone. I definitely didn’t expect that line, or either Mary’s line, to explode their way. But it’s there.
Here is another detail I love. Costume designer Ruth E. Carter and I made a last minute change. There was a red dress I had originally imagined for the scene. There was this fiery entrance from the train. But Ryan said, “What would happen if she were to have a beautiful, pale mauve tone? It makes what she says even more unexpected.” And he was right. It completely changed the energy.
How have you treated the fans who quote that line to you?
What a disaster. There have been some moments – people want to bring up a particular line in the film. That’s always…yeah, it’s annoying. For example, I respect and appreciate you, but I know what this line is. You don’t need to tell me. It can get fast and weird, especially when someone nearby doesn’t know.
After returning from music, he contributed to the “Sinners” soundtrack. What was it like?
It was a perfect full circular moment. A few years ago, I made a conscious decision to step back from music. It had an impact on what we were thinking in terms of singing in the film. But by the time it was done, contributing to the soundtrack was a reminder of why I love making music.
I’ve always wanted to make music from a purpose and a place of storytelling. It started for me through film. It was surreal to be back in the studio with Ludwig Göransson, who had been on my bucket list since I was 17.
Writing the song, I kept asking, “Is this from my perspective or from Mary’s?” It’s both. And I had the advantage of getting to know her in depth.
I also had to be around such incredible talent. Watching Miles (Katon) pick up a guitar and become magic. It was inspiring. The whole environment illuminated something inside me.
Can I see myself in the Coogler Musical?
Be sure to listen. If Ryan is always doing something, I hope he will always be a part of it.
Let’s talk about Oscar nominations for “True Grit.” What do you remember from that morning?
Ah, it feels like it was millions of years ago and it feels like it happened yesterday. I will never forget that morning. My mother was trying so hard to protect me – she didn’t even want to know when my nomination was announced.
I woke up screaming from the other room, my siblings and my parents ran with flowers. It was surreal. On my way to the Four Season, I ordered some chocolate chip pancakes.
That year was wild. It wrapped the film, but came out 14 seconds later. I was flying everywhere, for the first time in reporting and constantly listening to the awards. That was a lot. I still feel like I owe it all to that cast and crew.
How did that experience shape how you navigate today’s industry?
I think these perceptions hit me more as I got older. After the Oscars there was a conscious decision to pause. We didn’t put a specific time frame on it, but I had to take the beat and think about what the following was right.
Over time I learned that momentum is real. You want to continue, say yes to great people and great scripts. But I didn’t stop for years. The pandemic and strikes have seen life outside of work. It was terrifyingly free. In this business, you don’t stop proving yourself. I love it…and sometimes I hate it. It’s not the same for two days. And I love it too.
How did your marriage to Josh Allen shape your daily life, and what about his nose?
His nose is nice. What we are doing is so unpredictable, and his work is on such a tough schedule. So it’s actually a blessing – I try to sort out my time. At this time of the year, I will stay still, slowly support him, and live my life. When the offseason rolls, it goes back and forth for me too.
I have never lived this part of my life outside of my job before. I’m much better at realizing what it means to slow down and share it with someone. That’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
Marvel fans are always interested in Kate Bishop’s status and the mysterious IMDB list of “Champion”.
I saw it! Do you tell me anyone can update IMDB now? A part of me was, “Is this someone just throwing away something, or someone who knows something?”
As for Marvel, I’m always waiting on the phone. I love that family. I am very grateful to be able to participate in it. Whenever they need me, they know where to find me.
He also returned as Gwen Stacy in “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.” What can you tell me?
We’re hooked on it. I have said the word “mile” in so many different ways and tones that I sometimes wonder if something will be discarded. It probably has the entire library.
However, the process is constantly changing. You will not get the full script at the top. It evolves. And it’s so crazy and fun to be part of it.
What advice would you give to young people looking to break into the industry?
Do that. Just do it. Whether it’s for work or fun — hopefully. This job rarely feels like work to me. That’s the best part.
Someone asked me what I would say to my younger self. I quickly thought about going to Oscars for my first film, 13 years old. It doesn’t happen – but it can. Anytime in your life. This occupation does not have an expiration date.
If it makes you happy and you make you feel like a real version of yourself, then it’s never wrong. People always have an opinion – take them with a grain of salt. Trust your instincts. That’s what I overcome every decision I make.
There are many hurdles, but consider the moments that improve. The moment I continue to grind.
Hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tankay, Emily Morkate, Jenelle Riley and Michael Schneider, Variety’s “Award Circuit” podcast is the one-stop source of the best lively conversations in film and television. Each episode, “Awards Circuit,” features interviews with discussions and debates on top film and television talent, creative, award races and industry headlines. Subscribe via Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, or where you download podcasts.
