A Fan Moment for the History Books
At the recent world premiere of Toy Story 5 in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 9, global superstar Taylor Swift experienced a true full-circle moment. The 36-year-old singer-songwriter, who contributed an original track to the highly anticipated Disney-Pixar film, attended the event prepared with a special piece of memorabilia.
Swift was captured on camera holding an original 1995 VHS copy of the first Toy Story film. Tom Hanks, the iconic voice of Woody, graciously signed the item for her. The VHS cover appeared to feature another legendary signature—that of Tim Allen, the voice of Buzz Lightyear—complete with the famous phrase, “To infinity and beyond,” written across the front.
New Music Inspired by a Childhood Favorite
The singer recently shared her deep-rooted love for the Toy Story franchise while announcing her new song, “I Knew It, I Knew You.” The track draws inspiration from the character Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack. Upon the song's release on June 5, Swift delighted her fans by sharing nostalgic footage of herself dressed as a cowgirl during her childhood.
Reflecting on the creative process, she noted:
“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.”
Gratitude for the Franchise
Swift expressed immense appreciation for the team behind the cinematic universe. She extended her thanks to 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.”
During the premiere event, Swift marked the occasion with a live performance of her new song. She also took to the stage alongside Randy Newman to perform a rendition of the franchise's classic anthem, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”