Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance at the premiere of the highly anticipated fifth installment of “Toy Story,” more than a week after revealing that she had recorded a song for the film.
The pop superstar arrived at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, walking the red carpet in a patchwork dress. Later, Swift performed the song “I Knew It, I Knew You,” followed by a duet with legendary composer Randy Newman.
Swift has long been a fan of the “Toy Story” franchise, and her involvement was strictly kept under wraps, making the surprise reveal of her contribution to the film’s soundtrack even more exciting for fans.
On June 9, Taylor Swift was among the stars who attended the “Toy Story 5” premiere at the Dolby Theatre in L.A. The singer stunned in an adorable off-shoulder corset mini dress from Erdem’s 2026 fall/winter collection that she accessorized with a sparkling horseshoe pendant and gold heeled sandals.
Swift’s appearance was a welcome surprise. On June 1, the singer finally confirmed rumors that she was somewhat involved in the latest “Toy Story” movie. In an Instagram post, she shared with her millions of followers that she penned the original song “I Knew It, I Knew You,” for the film.
“I’ve always dreamed of getting to write for these characters who I’ve adored since I was a 5 year old kid watching the first Toy Story movie,” she wrote.
Tom Hanks Signed An Autograph For The Singer
According to USA Today, Swift had a fangirl moment with the film’s stars and asked Tom Hanks, who has voiced Sheriff Woody Pride for more than three decades, for an autograph.
The 36-year-old singer reportedly brought her VHS copy of the first “Toy Story” movie, which was released in 1995 when she was just 5 years old.
“I didn’t get a selfie, but I did sign her original VHS of the first ‘Toy Story.’ I told her she should have brought an original VHS machine, and we could have signed it. And that could go in the Smithsonian as well,” Hanks said of his interaction with Swift.
Taylor Swift Performed Her New Song Live For The First Time
Following the “Toy Story 5” screening, Swift took the stage for a surprise performance. Donning a flowing yellow dress, she sat behind the piano and did a stripped-down version of “I Knew It, I Knew You.”
The song, written specifically for Jessie’s character, is included in the “Toy Story 5” soundtrack. It marks Swift’s latest project with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, whom she worked with on several of her albums.
However, the surprise didn’t stop there. Next, composer Randy Newman took his place on the piano and performed a duet of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” the main theme song of the “Toy Story” franchise.
A Decoy Was Created To Keep The Secret
After Swift’s revelation on June 1, “Toy Story 5” VFX Supervisor Thomas Jordan revealed that only a handful of people knew that Swift had a song in the movie. Jordan said the singer saw an early version of the film in February, wrote a song, and asked them if they wanted it.
The team then created a decoy version of “Toy Story 5,” one where Swift’s song wasn’t included, so they could show Pixar/Disney employees and press the film without spoiling the surprise. Jordan said that even the majority of the crew who worked on the movie did not know about Swift’s involvement.
Rumors Of Taylor Swift’s Involvement Spread In April
Despite the secrecy, eagle-eyed Swifties were quick to figure out several clues.
On April 30, Swift’s official website displayed a countdown clock, but it quickly disappeared. Those who saw it, however, noted that the background showed a blue sky with a few puffy clouds, which was similar to the wallpaper from “Toy Story.”
Later, the singer was spotted wearing a sky-blue dress paired with a yellow purse and red shoes, the signature colors of the “Toy Story” franchise. Then, billboards that featured the “TS” initials with a sky and clouds background appeared at different locations, sparking further speculation. It wasn’t until Swift’s Instagram post, however, that the rumors were confirmed.
In a post on June 5, Swift wrote, “Being a Toy Story kid from the age of 5 til now… is an adventure I plan to be on, to infinity and beyond.”