Despite speculation, Taylor Swift attended the Pixar film’s LA premiere along with Toy Story 5 stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. Swift sang “I Knew It, I Knew You” on the soundtrack.
Taylor Swift and Randy Newman perform a duet of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”
Pixar history was made when Taylor Swift and Randy Newman performed a duet at the Hollywood premiere of Toy Story 5. The duo sang “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”
LOS ANGELES – The biggest question swirling at the star-studded Toy Story 5 premiere on June 9 had to do with the superstar not voicing a character in the long-awaited animated sequel, which opens in theaters June 19.
Will Taylor Swift show up on the red carpet and make it a “tae story”? As day turned to night on Hollywood Boulevard, the 36-year-old singer made sure to arrive at the premiere under the watchful eye of a security team. She did not go to the red carpet, instead entering the heavily guarded red carpet area through a back door, where Swift chatted with stars such as Tom Hanks, who voices Woody in the series.
“Taylor looked amazing and the whole cast looks like they’re having a ball out there,” co-director McKenna Harris told USA TODAY after emerging from the private red carpet area.
Hanks said Swift gave him an OG “Toy Story” tape to sign.
“I didn’t get a selfie, but I did sign an original VHS copy of the first Toy Story,” Hanks told USA TODAY. “I told her she should have brought the original VHS machine so she could sign it. And it might even go into the Smithsonian.”
After a standing ovation at the screening of “Toy Story 5,” the curtain at the Dolby Theater rose to reveal Taylor Swift seated at a piano center stage. Needless to say, the audience went completely wild.
Swift performed “I Knew It, I Knew You” before giving a speech to the crowd about the importance of Pixar films.
“It means a lot to me to be a small part of the world of these movies,” Swift said. “And Toy Story 5 is my favorite Toy Story movie. I’m so happy to be a part of it.”
After his speech, legendary “Toy Story” songwriter Randy Newman appeared on stage at the piano and wreaked havoc on Pixar’s climax.
“Personally, I feel like it’s a really good day,” Swift said.
The two sang Newman’s classic “You Got a Friend in Me” from “Toy Story.” The crowd went wild again.
What was the impetus for “Tay Story”?
The 14-time Grammy winner sent Toy Story fanatics into a frenzy when she announced that she would perform an original song, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” written by Swift and collaborator Jack Antonoff, in the fifth installment.
“Ever since I was a 5-year-old kid watching Toy Story, I’ve dreamed of writing for my favorite characters,” Swift wrote to her 273 million Instagram followers on June 1. “I was lucky enough to see Toy Story 5 in its early stages and immediately fell in love with it, so I wrote this song as soon as I got home from the screening. Sometimes, you know?”
Who attended the Toy Story 5 premiere?
Many of the film’s stars were in attendance, including Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Joan Cusack (Jesse), Conan O’Brien (new character Smarty Pants), Scarlett Spears (Bonnie), Greta Lee (Lilypad), Shelby LaBara (Snappy), Mychal-Michelle Harris (Blaze), Craig Robinson (Atlas), and Lori. Alan (Bonnie’s mother), Jay Hernandez (Bonnie’s father), Kristen Schaal (Trixie), Tony Hale (Forky), John Ratzenberger (Ham).
How did the “Tay Story” mania begin?
The “Toy Story” theory began on April 30, when a countdown featuring “Toy Story”-style clouds and a yellow timer briefly appeared on Swift’s official website, then disappeared.
On May 29th, Swifties spotted billboards in Chicago, London, and Dallas with the letters TS, which could represent Taylor Swift, Toy Story, or both, set against the series’ signature blue sky.
“Toy Story 5” director Andrew Stanton addressed the rumors in a YouTube interview with co-director McKenna Harris and producer Lindsey Collins at Pixar headquarters on May 27th.
“We were surprised, too. What an honor,” Stanton said of the speculation sparked online by the countdown and Toy Story-style images on Swift’s website.
Stanton said at the time that Swift’s song did not end the film. However, the movie was later changed and “I Knew It, I Knew You” became the ending song for the movie.
“I wasn’t lying,” Stanton told USA TODAY. “In the early edits, this wasn’t the last song.”
“We were keeping a secret,” producer Lindsey Collins said.
Taylor Swift releases ‘Toy Story’ song ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’
On June 1, Swift announced song news, introducing three versions of “I Knew It, I Knew You” inspired by the journey of feisty cowgirl Jessie in Toy Story 5.
“It’s incredible how much it meant to have Taylor write and perform this song. Her connection to Jesse and her instant understanding of what the character is going through is undeniable,” Stanton said in a statement. “This song has a deep connection to Toy Story. When I first heard it, it felt like it had been there all along, like a lost family member. It was kismet.”
Contributors: KiMi Robinson and Bryan West
