The problem with Hailee Steinfeld’s music career: Is Josh Allen's fiance taken seriously as a pop star in today’s music industry?

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 10, 2025, 07:36 IST

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Hailee Steinfeld is a talented singer with underrated hits like "Starving," "Most Girls," and "Wrong Direction." Her clean, radio-friendly voice blends mainstream pop and synth-pop. She has collaborated with producers like Zedd and Grey and opened for heavyweights like Katy Perry. However, Steinfeld hasn't yet reached the A-list tier of pop stardom like Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, or Selena Gomez.

The problem with Hailee Steinfeld’s music career: Is Josh Allen's fiance taken seriously as a pop star in today’s music industry?

Image via Instagram

Hailee Steinfeld burst onto the scene with an Oscar nomination at just 14, and since then, she’s proven herself as a triple threat—actor, singer, and style icon. But nearly a decade after her debut single “Love Myself�?made waves, a question still lingers in the pop world: Is Hailee Steinfeld taken seriously as a pop star?

Despite her vocal talent, catchy songs, and major label backing, Hailee Steinfeld continues to struggle

There’s no denying Hailee Steinfeld's talent. She’s got the vocals, the looks, and a catalog of underrated hits like “Starving,�?“Most Girls,�?and “Wrong Direction.�?Her voice is clean and radio-friendly, and her sound sits comfortably between mainstream pop and synth-pop. She’s worked with producers like Zedd and Grey, and opened for heavyweights such as Katy Perry. But despite all that, Steinfeld hasn’t quite broken into the A-list tier of pop stardom occupied by artists like Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, or even fellow actor-turned-singer Selena Gomez.

So, what’s holding Hailee Steinfeld back?

Part of the issue may be branding and consistency. While her acting career has thrived—with roles in Pitch Perfect, Dickinson, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse—her music releases have often felt sporadic. Fans never quite know if she’s fully committed to her music or if it’s just a side project between films. That lack of clear musical identity can make it hard to build a dedicated pop audience.
Another factor is industry perception. As a successful actress, Steinfeld often gets boxed into the “celebrity-turned-singer�?category, where skepticism runs high. Unlike artists who came up purely through music, she has to constantly prove her legitimacy in a genre that demands authenticity.
The irony is that Steinfeld’s music—lyrically honest, emotionally resonant, and polished—is exactly what the pop world claims to value. But without a full-length album and more consistent promotion, she risks being forgotten amid a fast-moving industry.
Also Read: Hailee Steinfeld presses pause on wedding plans as she fully commits to promoting her upcoming film ‘Sinners�?/a>
Hailee Steinfeld has the ingredients of a true pop star. The question now is whether the industry, and perhaps even she herself, is ready to fully commit to that version of her. Until then, her music career remains a promising but puzzling part of pop’s landscape.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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