A Nostalgic Red Carpet Encounter
At the world premiere of Toy Story 5 held in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 9, Taylor Swift experienced a true fan-girl moment. The 36-year-old Grammy-winning artist, who contributed an original track to the upcoming Disney-Pixar film, arrived on the red carpet with a unique piece of memorabilia in hand: a 1995 VHS copy of the original Toy Story.
Swift managed to get the tape signed by Tom Hanks, who provides the voice for Woody. Upon closer look, the VHS cover also appears to feature a signature from Tim Allen, the voice of Buzz Lightyear, accompanied by the iconic phrase, “To infinity and beyond.”
Musical Inspiration and Dedication
Swift’s involvement in the franchise stems from a lifelong passion for the series. To celebrate the release of her new song, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” which draws inspiration from the character Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack), the singer shared nostalgic footage of herself dressed as a cowgirl during her childhood.
“Writing this song felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time. Creating something for Jessie was a new challenge and also felt like second nature all at once,” Swift shared. “And being a Toy Story kid from the age of 5 til now… is an adventure I plan to be on, to infinity and beyond.”
Gratitude to the Creative Team
In her public reflections on the project, the singer expressed deep appreciation for the creative minds behind the beloved animation:
- She thanked director Andrew Stanton for envisioning her involvement in the project years ago.
- She acknowledged composer Randy Newman, praising the “gorgeous sonic tapestry” he has woven for the franchise.
During the premiere event, Swift treated the audience to the first live performance of her new song, “I Knew It, I Knew You.” She also shared the stage with Randy Newman for a rendition of the classic Toy Story anthem, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”