Taylor Swift hit the campaign trail hard for her first Oscar at a New York screening this weekend.
The “Shake It Off” singer, 35, spent Sunday afternoon at Disney’s downtown Manhattan offices for an all-guild screening and Q&A of “Toy Story 5,” where she worked the room like a seasoned politician seeking votes. The event drew industry insiders, journalists, and families with young children, all of whom got face time with the pop superstar.
“She was just adorable with the little kids, hugging each of them,” one attendee said.
Swift’s baby-hugging diplomacy wasn’t the only charm offensive she deployed. She stayed well past the main event, making sure no one left without a personal moment. “She stayed and talked to every single person and allowed selfies and signed autographs,” another guest added.
The singer’s outreach extended to the press corps in attendance, including veteran New York writer Michael Musto. The columnist later posted about the encounter on Instagram, writing, “I got to greet Taylor Swift and couldn’t shake-shake-shake-shake-shake off the experience.” Musto also shared that Swift complimented his sweater and told him it was nice to see him again, describing her in his post as “sweeter than shoofly pie.”
The Oscar push centers on Swift’s original song “I Knew It, I Knew You” from the animated sequel. Best Original Song nominations will be announced January 21, 2027, with the ceremony following in March.
During the Q&A portion, Swift offered a rare glimpse into her domestic life with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. She revealed a longtime inside joke she shares with best friend Abigail Anderson, whom she met as a teenager: the pair still regularly talk to each other in “Napoleon Dynamite” voices. “We still do this,” Swift said of the impression, adding that their “husbands have to put up with” the habit.
The disclosure marked one of the few times Swift has publicly discussed the quirks of life with Kelce since the couple went public with their relationship in late 2023. Anderson, a longtime fixture in Swift’s inner circle, was notably mentioned in the singer’s 2009 hit “Fifteen” and has remained close to her for nearly two decades.
The Manhattan screening represents Swift’s most visible Academy Awards campaign effort to date. While musicians frequently attend premieres and promotional events for films featuring their work, the extended meet-and-greet and press cultivation signal serious intent to compete in a category that has historically eluded major pop stars despite their commercial dominance.
Swift’s Sunday schedule in New York also raised questions about her weekend logistics, as she has been balancing her Eras Tour commitments with appearances at Kelce’s football games throughout the 2024 and 2025 NFL seasons. She has previously flown directly from international tour dates to catch Chiefs matchups, making the cross-country sprint part of her regular routine.
The “Toy Story 5” campaign arrives as Swift continues expanding her film and television footprint beyond music videos and concert documentaries. Her original song work for animated features marks a different lane than her recent directorial efforts, which include music videos she has helmed and a planned feature film debut.
Academy voters from multiple guilds were in attendance at Sunday’s screening, giving Swift direct access to the industry members who will help determine her nomination fate.
