A Nostalgic Red Carpet Encounter
During the star-studded world premiere of Toy Story 5 in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 9, Taylor Swift experienced a quintessential fan moment. The 36-year-old Grammy winner, who contributed an original track to the upcoming Disney-Pixar film, arrived at the event prepared with a unique piece of movie memorabilia.
Swift was seen carrying a vintage 1995 VHS copy of the original Toy Story film. Tom Hanks, the iconic voice behind Woody, kindly signed the item for the singer. Observers noted that the cover also appeared to feature an autograph from Tim Allen, who voices Buzz Lightyear, complete with the famous inscription: “To infinity and beyond.”
Inspired by a Childhood Favorite
The artist recently opened up about her long-standing passion for the Toy Story franchise while promoting her new single, “I Knew It, I Knew You.” The track is deeply inspired by the character Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack.
To celebrate the release of the song on June 5, Swift shared a nostalgic video of herself dressed as a cowgirl during her childhood. Reflecting on the project, she shared her thoughts:
“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. 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.”
Collaborating with Cinematic Icons
Swift took the time to express her gratitude toward the creative team behind the franchise. She acknowledged director Andrew Stanton for involving her in the project and paid tribute to composer Randy Newman, stating:
“Thank you to the incomparable Randy Newman for the gorgeous sonic tapestry of songs and scores you’ve meticulously woven over the years. You created the Toy Story musical world, and we are lucky to get to live in it.”
The premiere event also served as a showcase for Swift’s musical contribution. She delivered a live debut of “I Knew It, I Knew You” and joined Randy Newman on stage for a special performance of the classic anthem “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”