Movies
Taylor Swift added a musical highlight to the 2026 Academy Museum Gala with a live performance. The singer took the stage in Los Angeles to perform “I Knew It, I Knew You” from Toy Story 5. The performance came as the track reached No. 1 on U.S. country radio.
Taylor Swift performs Toy Story 5 song with full band at Academy Museum Gala
Taylor Swift brought her Toy Story 5 track “I Knew It, I Knew You” to the stage at the Academy Museum Gala on October 17, performing the song alongside a full band. The singer wore a floor-length gown for the Los Angeles event. According to PEOPLE, she also performed “Blank Space,” “Love Story,” and “The Fate of Ophelia” during the evening.
The gala appearance followed a major milestone for the Toy Story 5 song, which reached the top spot on U.S. country radio. The achievement marked Swift’s first No. 1 on the format in 13 years. The Academy Museum had announced her participation earlier in October, with the singer set to close the evening’s program.
Amy Homma, president and director of the Academy Museum, welcomed Swift’s involvement in a statement released before the event. “Taylor is an extraordinary talent whose work resonates around the world,” she said.
Homma added, “We are thrilled to welcome her to this year’s gala and look forward to her performance to close a wonderful evening of honoring three extraordinary filmmakers and supporting the Academy Museum’s mission to celebrate and preserve cinema.”
The sixth annual gala honored filmmaker and composer John Carpenter, Colman Domingo, and Charlize Theron. Funds raised through the event support the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, public screenings, and efforts to make its collections accessible to visitors of all ages.
Rolex, a founding supporter of the Academy Museum, was the gala’s exclusive partner. Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg, and Kate Capshaw served as co-chairs.
