Hailee Steinfeld ’s latest role in Sinners has not only pushed her creatively—it’s also taken her on a deeply personal journey into her family’s complex cultural history. The Oscar-nominated actress stars as Mary, a multi-racial woman navigating the harsh realities of the 1930s South in the upcoming vampire thriller directed by Ryan Coogler . But it was more than just a film for Steinfeld—it was a gateway into her heritage.
A role that opened up emotional doors and unearthed long-lost family stories
While promoting Sinners, which hits theaters April 18, Hailee Steinfeld reflected on how the role changed her perspective on her own background. “It had such an impact on me personally,” she shared with PEOPLE. “Therefore, I feel like the least it can do is make an impact on those that watch it.”
The character prompted her to research her lineage, which includes Jewish, Filipino, and African-American roots. “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.”
In an appearance on Good Morning America, Steinfeld echoed those sentiments. “This character challenged me in ways I've never been challenged,” she said, noting that the film arrived in her life at the perfect time. “Part of my research included understanding my own family history a bit better, which I am grateful for.”
Embracing cultural identity while connecting with family through storytelling
Steinfeld's maternal grandfather, as she’s previously shared, was half-Black and half-Filipino—a legacy that inspired her to travel to the Philippines in recent years. “It’s so wonderful to be in a place where you share some of the same DNA with the people you're surrounded by,” she said during a 2019 interview. “My mom was raised Christian, my dad is Jewish—we celebrate it all.”
The emotional impact of Sinners extended beyond filming. “It brought me so much closer to my mom and to my grandfather,” she said, adding that the film sparked meaningful conversations in her family. “I'm just so honored to be part of this story… It served me in a way that I didn't know I needed so bad.”
Also Read: Ed Sheeran’s deep bond with Taylor Swift sparks tension rumors — Is Travis Kelce uncomfortable?
A role that opened up emotional doors and unearthed long-lost family stories
While promoting Sinners, which hits theaters April 18, Hailee Steinfeld reflected on how the role changed her perspective on her own background. “It had such an impact on me personally,” she shared with PEOPLE. “Therefore, I feel like the least it can do is make an impact on those that watch it.”
The character prompted her to research her lineage, which includes Jewish, Filipino, and African-American roots. “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.”
In an appearance on Good Morning America, Steinfeld echoed those sentiments. “This character challenged me in ways I've never been challenged,” she said, noting that the film arrived in her life at the perfect time. “Part of my research included understanding my own family history a bit better, which I am grateful for.”
Embracing cultural identity while connecting with family through storytelling
Steinfeld's maternal grandfather, as she’s previously shared, was half-Black and half-Filipino—a legacy that inspired her to travel to the Philippines in recent years. “It’s so wonderful to be in a place where you share some of the same DNA with the people you're surrounded by,” she said during a 2019 interview. “My mom was raised Christian, my dad is Jewish—we celebrate it all.”
The emotional impact of Sinners extended beyond filming. “It brought me so much closer to my mom and to my grandfather,” she said, adding that the film sparked meaningful conversations in her family. “I'm just so honored to be part of this story… It served me in a way that I didn't know I needed so bad.”
Also Read: Ed Sheeran’s deep bond with Taylor Swift sparks tension rumors — Is Travis Kelce uncomfortable?
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