Taylor Swift debuted her new “Toy Story 5” anthem “I Knew It, I Knew You” at the film’s world premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, performing it live for the first time before reuniting with Randy Newman on “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”
Taylor Swift walked onto the Dolby Theatre stage in Los Angeles Tuesday night, and the room immediately felt like it had shifted into “Toy Story” mode.
At the film’s world premiere. she celebrated her newly released. record-breaking “Toy Story 5” anthem. “I Knew It. I Knew You. ” with a live performance for the first time. Several days earlier. the track had landed amid intense fan speculation. but this was the moment Swift’s voice met the big-screen energy in person.
She arrived dressed in a floor-length yellow gown and sat down at the piano for a rendition of “I Knew It. I Knew You. ” turning the song into something intimate even as the premiere spotlight blazed overhead. The performance quickly became the kind of clip people would replay on loop—Swift at the keys. the new anthem finally given a physical form.
Swift performed again at the premiere, returning for “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” alongside Randy Newman. This time, she stepped back in a clear, team-first way: Newman took over the piano, while Swift offered the vocals.
Before the music, Swift made time for the premiere step and repeat. She wore an off-the-shoulder. crystal-embellished dress by Erdem—an outfit fans couldn’t help but treat like part of the show. She also mingled with “Toy Story 5” star Joan Cusack. whose character Jessie served as the inspiration for the new country-leaning song. In photos from the night, Swift and Cusack could be seen sharing a laugh together.
The live debut lands after months of curiosity built around Swift’s possible connection to “Toy Story 5.” Speculation began at the start of May. when a mysterious countdown appeared on Swift’s website for 2 p.m. ET on May 2. The countdown sat on a white cloud against pale blue wallpaper—a print similar to the one seen in Andy’s bedroom in the “Toy Story” franchise. The countdown vanished soon after, but it didn’t end the speculation. Fans kept digging into her fashion choices. the film’s director issued a carefully worded denial. and billboards across the globe stayed vague enough to keep the theory alive.
Then last week. Swift confirmed the involvement: she had written a track for the next “Toy Story” movie. sharing the song title in the process. In a social media post. she said. “I’ve always dreamed of getting to write for these characters who I’ve adored since I was a 5 year old kid watching the first Toy Story movie. ” adding. “I fell instantly in love with ‘Toy Story 5’ when I was lucky enough to see it in its early stages. and I wrote this song as soon as I got home from the screening. Sometimes you just know, right?”.
Andrew Stanton, the director and screenwriter, celebrated the collaboration with a statement of his own. He said, “It’s incredible just how meaningful it’s been having Taylor write and perform this song. Her connection to Jessie and the immediate way she understood what the character was going through was undeniable. The song is so deeply connected to ‘Toy Story.’ So much so that on first listen. it instantly felt like it had always belonged there. like a long-lost family member. It was kismet.”.
Swift marked the official release of “I Knew It. I Knew You” on June 5 by sharing a home video of herself dressed as a cowgirl as a child. She also wrote a lengthy note to fans on Instagram. saying writing the song for Cusack’s Jessie felt like “coming home.” In that post. she wrote. “Writing this song felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time. ” and added. “Creating something for Jessie was a new challenge and also felt like second nature all at once. And being a @toystory kid from the age of 5 til now… is an adventure I plan to be on. to infinity and beyond.”.
By Tuesday night, all of the buildup—countdowns, clues, denial, and anticipation—collapsed into one simple scene: a surprise live performance at the Dolby Theatre, with Swift’s “Toy Story 5” anthem finally heard the way it was always meant to be—right in front of the characters it was written for.
Taylor Swift Toy Story 5 I Knew It I Knew You Randy Newman Joan Cusack Dolby Theatre LA premiere Jessie Erdem
So is this the real “Toy Story 5” song or just a Taylor thing?
LA literally turning into Toy Story mode?? I love her but like… can someone explain why she’s always at movie premieres singing stuff. Is Randy Newman like her producer now or something?
Wait I thought Randy Newman and her already did “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” like years ago. Unless this is a new version for the movie. Also the article says “newly released record-breaking” but record-breaking what?? views? streams? box office? lol
The yellow gown and the piano part is giving major “this is scripted” vibes. Joan Cusack as Jessie inspired a country-leaning song?? I feel like they just mashed up everything people wanted and called it a day. Still I’m gonna pretend I knew it was coming, because everyone was speculating right?