BLUMARINE dress, MAX MARA inner garments. Photographed by Greg Swales for the March 2025 Issue of Vogue Philippines
From deadpan poets to Marvel’s next-gen hero, American actress Hailee Steinfeld brings wit, grit, and a little mischief to every role.
Before she was riffing with the Barden Bellas or swinging through the Spider-Verse, Hailee Steinfeld, like many other Los Angeles natives, was just a young girl with a dream. Since True Grit put her on Hollywood’s radar as a teen, she’s made an acting career out of sidestepping expectations, while pursuing her passion for music on the side with catchy radio hits. But as Steinfeld’s star first shone on the silver screen, it is only right to honor the roles that define her ever-evolving career.
In anticipation of the Ryan Coogler-directed Sinners, which features her first on-screen film performance in eight years, Vogue Philippines takes a look at the actress’s defining film and TV roles.
Mattie Ross – True Grit (2010)
At 14, Steinfeld went toe-to-toe with Jeff Bridges in this Coen brothers Western thriller, delivering a performance that was both steely and precise. Dressed in oversized coats, long braids, and a scowl that rarely softened, she disappeared into the role of Mattie Ross, a girl far tougher than her years.
Nadine Franklin – The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
The quintessential coming-of-age role: sharp, awkward, and achingly real. Her loose waves, minimal makeup, and flannel-heavy wardrobe mirrored the character’s casual, slightly disheveled teenage angst. With a supporting cast that included Woody Harrelson and Haley Lu Richardson, Steinfeld’s Nadine earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Charlie Watson – Bumblebee (2018)
Steinfeld’s portrayal of Charlie Watson in this Transformers spin-off brought unexpected heart to the franchise, balancing high-octane action with a deeply personal story of loss, resilience, and an unlikely bond with a gentle Autobot. With tousled hair, band tees, and a permanently furrowed brow, she embodied the scrappy, small-town girl with a love for fixing cars.
Emily Junk – Pitch Perfect 2 & Pitch Perfect 3
Who could forget Steinfeld’s performance as the fresh-faced, bumbling Barden Bella aspirant Emily Junk? In a franchise packed with big personalities, Steinfeld brought fresh energy and a hit song that lived well beyond the screen. Jessie J’s “Flashlight,” which was written for Pitch Perfect 2 and is performed by Steinfeld in the film, debuted in Billboard Hot 100 in 2015, at number 68.
Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman – Spider-Verse Films
For the Spider-verse films, the animators gave Spider-woman a signature look: an undercut peeking out from her hood, a black-and-white suit with neon accents, and an expression that was always a little guarded. Amidst the film’s dazzling animation and fast-paced action, Steinfeld ensured Gwen remained one of its most emotionally resonant and compelling figures. More than just a masked hero, Steinfeld’s portrayal of Gwen in the animated movies is a fighter that grapples with guilt, loneliness, and the weight of her choices.
Emily Dickinson – Dickinson (2019–2021)
A 19th-century poet in corseted lace gowns, period-accurate curls, but with a rebellious 21st-century attitude. While also serving as the show’s producer, Steinfeld’s take on Emily Dickinson was irreverent, poetic, and magnetic. Her chemistry with Ella Hunt’s Sue Gilbert added emotional depth, making their shifting love story a compelling heartbeat of the series.
Kate Bishop – Hawkeye (2021, MCU)
Steinfeld’s effortless comedic timing and emotional depth as the sarcastic yet determined Kate Bishop made her an instant MCU favorite, while her dynamic with Jeremy Renner’s Clint Barton gave Hawkeye its wit and warmth.
Vi – Arcane (2021–present)
As Vi in the animated series Arcane, Steinfeld delivered a raw, emotionally charged performance that matched the show’s striking visuals. She captured Vi’s fiery resilience and deep-seated pain, bringing intensity to her brutal fight scenes and tenderness to her fractured bond with the character’s sister, Jinx, voiced by Ella Purnell, and her evolving relationship with Caitlyn, brought to life by Katie Leung.
Photographs by GREG SWALES. Styling by ROB ZANGARDI & MARIEL HAENN. Makeup: Ash K Holm. Hair: Gregory Russel. Executive Producer: Anz Hizon. Producer: Alexey Galetskiy. Nails: Tom Bachik. Production Assistants: Ivan Shentalinskiy, Grace Sundarathiti. Photographer’s Assistants: Juliet Lambert, Maya Sacks, Stephen Krajeski. Digital Tech: Toma Kostygina. Stylist’s Assistants: Hannah Margeson, Elliot Soriano. Tailor: Oxana Sumenko. Cinematographer: Chevy Tyler. Management: Maggie Bryant, Caroline Imhoff, Jill Demling. Catering: Haute Chefs. Shot on location at AGP West
