Producer Jessica Choi Shares Letter That Convinced Taylor Swift to Join ‘Toy Story 5’

One of the most talked-about aspects of ‘Toy Story 5’ isn’t its storyline but rather the behind-the-scenes efforts that brought one of the world’s biggest pop stars to its soundtrack. This all began with a heartfelt letter from producer Jessica Choi.

Recently, Choi stirred excitement by revealing the letter she sent to Taylor Swift, inviting her to create an original song for the upcoming Pixar sequel. Initially, Swift had turned down the offer, prompting Choi to explain why she felt the singer was the perfect fit for the project.

This candid approach provided fans with a unique glimpse into the persuasive tactics that often precede major Hollywood collaborations.

The letter also disclosed that ‘Toy Story 5’ is the first installment in the franchise to center on Jessie, the beloved yodeling cowgirl, rather than Woody and Buzz. Choi emphasized this shift as a conscious creative decision aimed at highlighting a strong female protagonist, arguing that Swift was ideally suited to enhance this vision. She drew parallels between Swift’s experiences in a male-dominated industry and Jessie’s character resilience.

The pitch proved successful. Swift ultimately agreed to provide the original end-credits song, titled ‘I Knew It, I Knew You’, which reflects her country roots and pays homage to the cowgirl at the film’s core. Co-written with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, Swift reportedly crafted the song in just one day after viewing an early screening of the film, showcasing the impressive nature of the final product.

In an interview on Good Morning America, Swift expressed the emotional impact of watching Jessie’s journey, noting how the character’s arc resonated with her personally and inspired the song’s creative direction. The cowgirl’s legacy in the franchise, first introduced through the poignant Randy Newman ballad in ‘Toy Story 2’, provided Swift with ample emotional material to draw from.

Swift isn’t the only exciting addition to the ‘Toy Story 5’ cast. Bad Bunny has also joined the film as a new character named Pizza With Sunglasses, inspired by producer Lindsey Collins’ memories of the reggaeton star playing with Toy Story dolls during the pandemic. These recruitment stories have quickly become part of the film’s promotional narrative, highlighting the personal and unique methods the Pixar team employed to assemble their cast.

The film officially premiered today, with the previous four entries in the franchise available for streaming on Disney+. With its Jessie-focused narrative, an impressive ensemble cast, and one of the most intriguing soundtrack recruitment stories in recent memory, ‘Toy Story 5’ is set to be much more than just another nostalgic chapter in one of animation’s most cherished franchises.

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