Hailee Steinfeld recently opened up about how her experience working on the movie “Sinners” helped her connect with her black roots. The talented actress shared that taking on the role in this film allowed her to delve deeper into her own heritage and gain a better understanding of her background.
The movie served as a bridge for Steinfeld to reconnect with her black roots. It allowed her to shed light on her ancestral history and explore new dimensions of her identity.
“It had such an impact on me personally,” she told PEOPLE. “Therefore, I feel like the least it can do is make an impact on those that watch it. I think it affected all of us so personally and so deeply, and I do believe that you feel that and you see that when you watch this movie.”
Sinners also stars Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, plus Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Delroy Lindo and more.
“I’m so grateful for the deeply personal connection that each of us have [to the material],” she added, “mine being with my family history, with my grandfather, who I wish was still here to answer all the questions that I have that this movie raised for me and making this movie raised.”
During an April 2 appearance on Good Morning America, Steinfeld said this project is “unlike any role that I have ever played,” explaining, “This character challenged me in ways I’ve never been challenged. And in ways I don’t know I would have been able to sort of tackle and overcome had it happened any sooner in my life.”
The singer-actress added that “part of my research included understanding my own family history a bit better, which I am grateful for.”
Steinfeld said she was “feeling closer” to her ancestors after learning more about them, including her late grandfather. “This movie started a big conversation for me, and I hope that’s one of the many things it does for viewers,” she added on GMA.
According to Backstage, Steinfeld’s maternal grandfather was half-Black and half-Filipino. Back in 2019, while on The Kelly Clarkson Show Steinfeld spoke about her diverse background, joking, “I’m a little bit of everything.”
“My grandfather was half-Filipino. I’ve since been to the Philippines, which is so wonderful to be in a place where you share some of the same DNA with the people you’re surrounded by, and to be connected to so many people,” she said at the time. “My mom was raised Christian, my dad is Jewish — we celebrate it all. Yeah, it’s a bunch of stuff in between.”
In a recent interview with Blavity for Sinners, Steinfeld said the research for the role involved “my family and my family history,” leading to “amazing conversations.” It’s “easy to say I wish [it] happened sooner, but I’m so grateful they’re happening now.”
By being a part of “Sinners,” Hailee Steinfeld not only delved into a powerful character but also found a way to connect to her black roots. The film provided her with a platform to explore her own identity, gain knowledge about her heritage, and better appreciate the diverse experiences of the black community.
Flip to the next page to watch Hailee Steinfeld speak about it all…
