Hailee Steinfeld should already be dominating pop music. She has the voice, the presence, the versatility, and the star power to be the moment. And yet, despite dropping some of the best pop singles of the last decade, she still feels like one of the industry’s most underrated artists.

With a new wave of pop girls shaking things up (see: Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Reneé Rapp), there’s never been a better time for Hailee to step fully into the spotlight. The world is so ready for her to be the next big thing—it just needs the music industry to catch up.

She’s Already Proven She Can Deliver Pop Perfection

Let’s be clear: Hailee Steinfeld doesn’t just dabble in music—she excels at it. When she dropped “Love Myself” in 2015, it was an instant confidence anthem, setting the tone for the glossy, self-assured pop she does best. Then came “Starving,” a massive hit that blended airy vulnerability with an infectious drop. “Most Girls”? A criminally underrated empowerment bop.

Her 2020 Half Written Story EP showed she could do moody, introspective pop just as well as radio-friendly hits. Tracks like “Wrong Direction” proved her depth as a songwriter, while “I Love You’s” gave us that perfect cry-in-the-club energy. She has the range—now she just needs the moment.

She Has Main Pop Girl Energy—But She’s Still Underrated

Hailee has everything a pop star needs:

✔ A recognizable voice – She’s got that warm, effortlessly cool vocal tone that makes her songs instantly stick.

✔ The visuals and aesthetic – Whether it’s red carpet glam or music video perfection, she knows how to serve.

✔ Stage presence – Anyone who’s seen her perform knows she can command a crowd.

✔ A built-in fanbase – Thanks to her successful acting career (Dickinson, Hawkeye), she already has a massive following.

So why hasn’t she hit that superstar level yet?

A big part of it comes down to the way the industry has handled her music. She’s been stuck in a cycle of sporadic single releases and small projects instead of getting the full-scale album rollout she deserves. While other artists have had major label pushes, Hailee’s music career has felt a bit like an afterthought—despite the fact that every time she does release something, it hits.

The Industry Needs to Give Her the Full Pop Star Treatment

What Hailee needs now is momentum. A full-length album. A killer lead single with a high-budget music video. A tour. The kind of rollout that turns a talented artist into an It Girl.

We’ve seen it happen with other artists who were once underrated. Dua Lipa’s first album had some hits, but it wasn’t until the Future Nostalgia era that she fully broke through. Sabrina Carpenter was always great, but she needed emails i can’t send and “Espresso” to take her career to the next level. Hailee is more than capable of having that moment—she just needs the push.

The Time for Hailee’s Pop Star Era Is NOW

The pop landscape is shifting. The new generation of It Girls is all about charisma, smart songwriting, and an effortless cool factor—things Hailee already has. With the right music and a proper rollout, she could easily take her place alongside the biggest names in pop right now.

Hailee Steinfeld should be a household name in music. She’s got all the pieces—it’s just time for the industry (and her team) to put them together and let her shine. Because if the world finally gets a full Hailee Steinfeld pop era? It’s over for the competition.

Slugs x