Taylor Swift just turned the Toy Story 5 premiere into her own stage. The pop superstar surprised audiences with an unannounced performance and a heartfelt tribute to the franchise.
How Taylor Swift became the biggest surprise of the Toy Story 5 premiere
Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance at the world premiere of Toy Story 5 on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, according to Variety. She took to the stage after the screening and performed “I Knew It, I Knew You,” her new song on the soundtrack, while playing the piano. She also sang “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” alongside Randy Newman.
Swift shared her admiration for the film with the audience at the Dolby Theatre. “It means the world to me to be a small part of the universe of these films,” she said. She added, “It’s insanely beautiful. It’s a masterpiece.”
The singer skipped the step and repeat on the red carpet earlier that evening. However, she showed up for a big cast photo before the screening. Her attendance followed the June 4 release of her soundtrack contribution.
Swift posted a message on social media alongside a vintage home video of herself as a child. “Writing this song felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time,” she wrote. She also thanked writer Andrew Stanton for imagining her involvement years ago when he wrote the film. Swift credited Randy Newman for creating the franchise’s musical world. She noted that she and collaborator Jack Antonoff wrote the song with deep adoration for the characters.
The fifth installment of the franchise reunites Woody and Buzz on a new mission. They work to save Bonnie from her Lilypad smart tablet alongside Jessie, Forky, and other beloved characters. Toy Story 5 opens in theaters on June 19.
