‘Hawkeye’ Star Hailee Steinfeld Turns Heads in Burgundy Velvet on ‘The Tonight Show’ and Opens Up About Her Biggest Year Yet
Hailee Steinfeld has been a familiar face on late-night couches for a decade, but not every visit comes with this much to talk about. Her latest ‘The Tonight Show’ appearance arrived at a moment when the Oscar-nominated actress and singer is juggling a new movie, a new baby and a very busy football season.
Steinfeld first sat down with Jimmy Fallon back in 2017 and returned in 2019 to talk about her Apple TV+ series ‘Dickinson’. She performed from home in 2020 and was last on the show in April 2025 to promote ‘Sinners’. That long history helps explain why she looked so comfortable on camera this time.
Photos from the Tuesday, September 29 episode of ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ have been making the rounds again online. They show Steinfeld with her long, glossy waves falling over one shoulder, wearing a deep burgundy crushed-velvet top with a high neckline and long sleeves. The moody styling gives the pictures a slick, dark-glamour feel.
Hailee Steinfeld for The Tonight Show https://t.co/BegUAvHGqH
— JumpTrailers (@JumpTrailers) October 17, 2026
WWD reported that the outfit came from Sally LaPointe’s resort 2027 collection, and that Steinfeld went for business on top and party on the bottom. She works regularly with stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, and the pairing of velvet and playful details was a clear nod to her party-girl mood.
Hailee Steinfeld wearing LaPointe Resort 27 on ‘The Tonight Show’ Styled by Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn https://t.co/WDb1OnOHBa
— hionfashion (@hionfashion) October 7, 2026
Steinfeld was on the show to promote ‘Hexed’, the upcoming Walt Disney Animation Studios film in which she voices lead character Billie Doe. The story follows an awkward teenage girl who discovers her peculiarities might be magical powers. Rashida Jones, Jodie Foster, Walton Goggins, Tracey Ullman and Stephen Fry also lend their voices, and the movie opens in theaters on November 25.
She told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show that the project was “such a dream come true.” She added that she began working on it while pregnant and finished it after her baby was born, which gives the mother-daughter story extra meaning for her.
PROUDEST MAMMA EVER!! 🥹🤍 – Hailee Steinfeld when asked about her baby girl Harper in Jimmy Fallon’s tonight show. https://t.co/hQNjgqwTFp
— *.❤︎ Sofi (Hailee’s Ver) ₊ ⊹ (@Haileeluvss) September 30, 2026
Fallon opened the conversation by congratulating Steinfeld on her marriage and the birth of her first child. She married Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in May 2025 in Santa Barbara, and the couple welcomed a daughter, Harper Haize Allen, in April 2026. ‘Hexed’ is the first project she has worked on since becoming a mom, and it was shot during and after her pregnancy.
She made her first red carpet appearance since the birth at D23 in August, and she has kept a lower profile in recent months. That made her return to the late-night circuit feel like a milestone, especially after so much time away from the spotlight.
The segment that has drawn the most attention was a round of the ‘Don’t Say the Same Thing Challenge’, in which she and Fallon each name something in a category at the same time without repeating the other’s answer. When the category was NFL quarterbacks, both gave the same name: Josh Allen. Steinfeld joked by asking whether there were any others, and Fallon said no.
The timing was perfect, since the Bills were off to a 3-0 start heading into Week 4. Steinfeld also admitted that she and her husband get a little superstitious on game days, adding that it’s hard not to be.
The conversation wasn’t only about family. She talked about the relentless night shoots for ‘Sinners’ and praised director Ryan Coogler, and she explained that she missed the Academy Awards but watched from home while pregnant. She also addressed the ongoing chatter about ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, where fans have been speculating about her Marvel character, Kate Bishop.
The episode itself was stacked. Steinfeld was one of 3 interviewees alongside Daniel Kaluuya and pro baseball player Justin Verlander, with Magnus Ferrell as the musical guest. Even in a crowded lineup, her segment stood out for its mix of humor and warmth.
With ‘Hexed’ arriving this Thanksgiving and ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ set for December 18, Steinfeld has a busy few months ahead. Her new-mom schedule is also colliding with the NFL season, which means plenty of travel and a lot of football-watching.
For fans, though, the appearance was a reminder of why she keeps getting invited back. She’s funny, candid and clearly excited about what’s next.
What stood out most about Hailee Steinfeld’s latest Tonight Show appearance?
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