Hailee Steinfeld Skips 2026 Oscars as She Prepares for Motherhood

The actress is expecting her first child with husband Josh Allen and is due to give birth any day now.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:59am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Actress Hailee Steinfeld has decided to skip the 2026 Oscars ceremony, where the film Sinners, in which she stars, is nominated for a record-breaking 16 awards. Steinfeld and her husband, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, announced in December that they are expecting their first child together. In a recent interview, Steinfeld spoke about the profound and grounding experience of preparing for motherhood, saying she's been having quiet conversations with herself and experiencing a 'surreal, full-body awareness' that their world is about to expand in beautiful ways.

Why it matters

Steinfeld's decision to prioritize the birth of her child over attending the high-profile Oscars ceremony highlights the challenges and personal choices that actors and other public figures face when balancing their careers with major life events. Her openness about the emotional journey of preparing for parenthood also provides a relatable perspective for fans and the general public.

The details

Steinfeld and Allen announced the pregnancy in December 2025 via a sweet Instagram video. In a recent newsletter, Steinfeld described the experience of getting ready for the baby, saying she's been having introspective conversations with herself and experiencing a profound awareness that their family is about to grow. Meanwhile, Allen expressed his excitement about becoming a dad, saying it's the most important role he'll ever have.

  • Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen announced the pregnancy in December 2025.
  • The 2026 Oscars ceremony is scheduled for March 16, 2026.

The players

Hailee Steinfeld

An American actress and singer who is expecting her first child with her husband, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Josh Allen

The quarterback for the Buffalo Bills who is excited to become a father with his wife, Hailee Steinfeld.

Ryan Coogler

The director of the film Sinners, which is nominated for a record-breaking 16 Academy Awards.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This week, I was sitting on the couch in my family room, and the reality that our little family is about to grow really started to settle in. Of course, I have all the to-do lists (which you know I love), and I've been busy with research and the general life reorganization that happens when you're about to have a baby. But the most profound and grounding part of getting ready for this baby has been the introspective side of it: the quiet conversations I'm having with myself almost every day.”

— Hailee Steinfeld (Hailee Steinfeld's newsletter)

“I'm very much looking forward to that with my wife, of becoming a dad. It's something that I will take with great pride. And we're going to have to figure things out on the go, just like anything else. But this is the most important thing I'll ever be in my life, being a dad. And I know I love being a football player, and I love being a quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. But I'm looking forward to this one.”

— Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills quarterback (Interview)

What’s next

The couple is expected to welcome their first child in the coming weeks, with Steinfeld due to give birth any day now.

The takeaway

Hailee Steinfeld's decision to prioritize the birth of her first child over attending the high-profile Oscars ceremony highlights the personal choices and challenges that public figures face when balancing their careers with major life events. Her openness about the emotional journey of preparing for parenthood provides a relatable perspective for fans and the general public.