Hailee Steinfeld is heading into Super Bowl weekend riding two very different waves: a Super Bowl commercial built for the biggest TV stage of the year and a history-making awards run for Sinners, which broke the record for the most Oscar nominations ever.
“When I woke up that morning [of the Oscar nominations] and received a few text messages with that news, I was beside myself,” she told Yahoo. “I continue to have these ‘Pinch me’ moments as someone lucky and privileged enough to be part of this ongoing journey.”
The Ryan Coogler film, which overperformed at the box office while earning near-universal critical acclaim, has taken on a life far beyond its initial release. What began as a grueling production has evolved into a shared experience that feels more meaningful than the trophies it’s bound to continue picking up.
“It’s such an amazing feeling to be part of something that’s so loved and recognized,” Steinfeld said. “This is one of the most special things I’ve ever been a part of. This journey continues, and I’m so proud of everyone involved.”
That pride is rooted in how Sinners was made, not just how it’s been received. Production unfolded in New Orleans during hurricane season, with night shoots stretching into their third week and weather that refused to cooperate. The conditions were demanding — and at times, disorienting.
Steinfeld (with her costar Michael B. Jordan) plays Mary in Sinners, currently up for Best Picture. (Arturo Holmes/WireImage)
(Arturo Holmes via Getty Images)
“There were moments where we’d look at each other and think, What are we doing? Are we on the right path? Is this going to work?” Steinfeld admitted. “But then you’d look around and see who was involved, see the level of passion and commitment, and know it was something special.”
That trust, forged under pressure, carried the cast through the toughest stretches of filming and continues to anchor them now. There’s a Sinners group chat that remains active as awards season unfolds. Omar Benson Miller cracks the most jokes, according to Steinfeld, who added that the group chat isn’t going anywhere once trophies are handed out.
Awards season itself, she acknowledged, brings its own intensity. The schedule is relentless. The rooms are crowded. Staying grounded, she said, requires intention.
“It can be incredibly overwhelming and overstimulating,” Steinfeld explained. “It’s so easy to get somewhere and start counting down the time — your feet are killing you, the dress is too tight — but I really try to be present.”
That awareness hit her recently at the Golden Globes, after hours of waiting and finally settling into her seat. “You feel like you’ve landed,” she said. “It’s surreal. It’s such an honor to be in that room.”
When the noise gets loud, Steinfeld leans on the same instinct that helped her through hurricane-season night shoots: staying close to her people. “Knowing we’re in our little bubble together helps,” she said. “That leaning on each other from making the film continues through all of these moments.”
That sense of community extends beyond awards season and into Super Bowl Sunday, which Steinfeld approaches with the same mix of enthusiasm and intentionality. A self-described host who loves to cook and commit to a theme, she sees the day less as a game to watch than an atmosphere to build. Sunday’s plans are still coming together. Steinfeld said she’s “just getting settled” and still figuring out what Super Bowl Sunday will look like with her husband, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
“I do love to host. I love to cook. I love a good theme,” she said. “Creating a menu, creating the energy — that’s my favorite part.”
While the specifics are still TBD, Steinfeld is clear about what matters most when she opens her home. “The people,” she said without hesitation. “If you have a good group of people, you’re set. It doesn’t matter what food is on the table or what music is playing.”
Food, she admitted, still ranks high. “If it’s not great,” she laughed, “you’ve lost me.”
As for where her attention will land once kickoff happens: the game, commercials or the Super Bowl halftime performer, Bad Bunny? “All of the above,” she said. She does acknowledge having a rooting interest this year, thanks to “our dear friend Sam.” Steinfeld and Allen’s dear friend is Sam Darnold, quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks.
That blend of high stakes and lightness is part of what makes Super Bowl Sunday such a cultural gravitational force — and it’s also why Steinfeld’s latest project fits so naturally into the moment. This year, she appears in a State Farm Super Bowl spot, a production she described as both massive in scale and unexpectedly fun.
“First of all, just the people involved,” she said. “Working with Keegan-Michael Key and Danny McBride made for some of the most fun few days I’ve ever had on set.”
What surprised her most was the sheer scale of the production. “They left no stone unturned,” she said. “They didn’t hold back in any aspect. It brought together the most amazing team, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera.”
It’s a different kind of spotlight from awards season — louder, faster and instantly visible to millions — but one Steinfeld clearly embraces. (She did a spot last year, too.) “I’m excited for everyone to see it.”
Right now, Steinfeld finds herself at a rare intersection: a Super Bowl moment, major career momentum and the anticipation of welcoming her first child. It’s a season moving quickly, one she’s focused on experiencing as fully as possible.
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