Since the performance that earned her an Oscar nomination in True Grit (2010), weβve seen Hailee Steinfeld grow up in front of our very eyes. But sheβs noΒ typical Hollywood child actor-turned-out-alright type, whatβs with her plan to perfect both acting and singing (these, for her, are not mutually exclusive gigs), chart climber singles and Platinum first EP. During her trip to meet the fans and reconnect with her heritage in Manila last month, we gotΒ to talk to the Fil-Am superstar a bit about her music, influences and the two worlds sheβs having the best of right now.
Your new EP is entitled Haiz. What does Haiz mean? How did you come up with this unique title?
Haiz is actually a nickname given to me by my fans a couple years ago now. It really started to catch on when I released βLove Myselfβ and obviously the EP came soon after that so I felt that in naming the EP Haiz, it would feel as though my fans named it for me, and, along with that, itβs a gift from me to them.
![ha6](https://asialive365.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ha6.jpg)
Β©Universal Music Philippines for AsiaLive365
Do you have a favourite song on Haiz?
I donβt know if I have a favourite song on the EP. They all are very personal to me and I love them all equally. Right now, though, I will say, with βRock Bottomβ featuring DNCE, the song might just be my favourite at the moment. Itβs existed with me alone on it when the EP first released, and having DNCE on it now has really added a whole new element to the song. Not that I ever felt like the song was missing anything to begin with but it really does feel complete now.
Are there any other artists youβd like to collaborate with?
I would love to work with Alessia Cara, Troye Sivan and Meghan Trainor. I would love to write with them and collaborate with them. I think theyβre incredible. I would also love to work with Justin Timberlake. Gosh, Iβve obviously got a lot of work to do!
![Hailee Steinfeld's debut EP Haiz (2015)](https://asialive365.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/hailee-steinfeld-haiz.jpg)
Hailee Steinfeld’s debut EP Haiz (2015)
You’ve said that βHell Nos & Headphonesβ is inspired by Alessia Caraβs βHereβ. Itβs natural for people your age to enjoy partying and having a good time but you are singing about the opposite. Tell us more about the song and what inspired the message behind it.
The song was actually inspired by the experience that I had not too long ago. One thing that stood out to me about the whole song β not necessarily being about singing about having a great time, thatβs not what the song is about β is that itβs really about not feeling like you have to conform to a certain behaviour to fit in or to feel cool. Itβs about being okay about the fact that you can get up and walk out of the situation that you feel uncomfortable in.
Who are your musical influences?
I have quite a few musical influences. I grew up listening to a lot of classic rock and a little bit of R&B so thereβs quite a lot of musicians that Iβm influenced by β from The Eagles to Boyz II Men, to Stevie Wonder and James Taylor, that whole side of things. With my music now, Iβm influenced by them lyrically rather than sonically. I think lately Iβve been able to pull from what I grew up listening to a lot during my sessions in the studio. And from a lot of what is out now, too. Alessia Cara is one of my favourite artists, so are Meghan Trainor, Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars. Theyβre definitely some of my musical influences.
What are the top ten songs on Hailee Steinfeldβs playlist?
Oh my God, I donβt even know if I can choose! I donβt even know where to begin. I guess I can say Justin Bieberβs album Purpose has been on repeat. I love that album on so many levels. I love so many of the people he worked with on that album. Iβm obsessed with Rihannaβs [Anti] and Drakeβs two new songs (βOne Danceβ and βPop Styleβ) that are on Apple Music right now. They’re pretty damn cool! Yeah, those are the main things Iβm listening to right now.
![ha5](https://asialive365.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ha5.jpg)
Β©Universal Music Philippines for AsiaLive365
You are a singer, actress, model and all-round celebrity. What are the similarities or differences of these jobs?
The main similarity of what I know from acting and singing now is the gruelling schedule! Thatβs definitely the main similarity. And one of the main differences, I would say, is the paces that they move at. Movies can take years to make while music is so much more immediate, from being in a studio to coming with an idea that turns into a song, if not an entire album, then touring the world and performing live in front of people and getting that instant live reaction you donβt get with movies. Iβd say thatβs one of the main differences.
![Hailee Steinfled out in Manila, April 9, 2016 Β©CelebMafia](https://asialive365.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/hailee-steinfeld-out-in-manila-philippines-4-9-2016-9-1024x1024.jpg)
Hailee Steinfled out in Manila, April 9, 2016 Β©CelebMafia
You have accomplished so much at a very young age, how do you keep yourself grounded?
I owe a lot to my friends and family for keeping my grounded. Theyβre definitely my rock so any time I need to be reminded why Iβm doing what Iβm doing, I always go to them. My fans, too, constantly remind me why Iβm doing what Iβm doing. I think itβs important to remember the real reason because itβs easy to get carried away with certain things. Itβs nice to be reminded why I set out to do these things. And thatβs because I love them.
Is there anything else you havenβt done and would like to try?
I would really love the opportunity to sing in more movies. I obviously love singing and acting so much to the point that I donβt see myself doing one and not the other, and I will continue to do both but any time I get the opportunity to do both at the same would be quite a dream.
Lastly, tell us one secret about Hailee Steinfeld.
Iβm obsessed with socks and avocados. Socks and avocados. They make a great combinations. If there were avocados on socks I would wear them all the time (laugh). Iβm so loopy!
![ha2](https://asialive365.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ha2.jpg)
Β©Universal Music Philippines for AsiaLive365
Stream or download Haiz now on iTunes.