The pop superstar will perform at the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, joining some of Hollywood’s biggest names as her latest film soundtrack contribution attracts awards attention. The appearance follows her MTV recognition, directorial projects and continued chart success.
Taylor Swift is set to take centre stage at one of Hollywood’s most prestigious fundraising events – with her performance at the Academy Museum Gala coming as speculation grows she could secure her first Oscar nomination.
The 36-year-old singer-songwriter will perform at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on 17 October, closing an evening honouring Charlize Theron, 51, Colman Domingo, 56, and John Carpenter, 78.
The annual gala, which raises money for the museum’s exhibitions, educational programmes and film preservation work, has become an important gathering for Hollywood figures ahead of awards season.
Amy Homma, director and president of the Academy Museum and Academy Collection, said: “Taylor is an extraordinary talent whose work resonates around the world.”
She 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.”
Although organisers have not disclosed which songs Taylor will perform, attention has turned to I Knew It, I Knew You, her contribution to the soundtrack of Pixar’s Toy Story 5.
The song has been identified as a potential contender for the Academy Award for best original song, a category in which Taylor has yet to receive a nomination.
Her appearance will place her alongside leading figures from the film industry at a time when her work as a director and her involvement in cinema have become increasingly prominent.
Taylor recently attended the MTV Video Music Awards, where she received the inaugural Artist-Director Award.
She also premiered the music video for Patient Zero, which she directed and which features appearances by Dakota Johnson, 37, and Colin Farrell, 50.
The project adds to her previous work behind the camera, including All Too Well: The Short Film, starring Sadie Sink, 24, and Dylan O’Brien, 35.
The 2021 film, based on the extended version of her song All Too Well, helped establish Taylor’s ambitions as a filmmaker beyond her record-breaking career in music.
She has also directed several of her own music videos, including The Man, Anti-Hero and Bejeweled, while her concert film Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour brought her stadium performances to cinemas around the world.
The film documented the global tour that became one of the defining commercial successes of her career, following her rise from country music star to international pop phenomenon.
Taylor has also recently enjoyed further chart success with The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, an expanded edition of her 2025 album featuring four additional tracks.
Her single Patient Zero reached No 1 in the UK, while the album also topped the chart, giving her another simultaneous singles and albums chart success.
The Academy Museum Gala will also recognise Charlize with its Icon Award, honouring her contribution to cinema through films including Monster, Mad Max: Fury Road and Atomic Blonde.
Colman, known for Rustin, Sing Sing and his role in the television drama Euphoria, will receive the Vantage Award, while filmmaker John, whose credits include Halloween, The Thing and Escape from New York, will receive the Luminary Award.
Filmmakers Robert Rodriguez, 58, and Steven Spielberg, 79, are co-chairing the gala alongside actress Kate Capshaw, 72.
The host committee includes Jessica Alba, 45, Judd Apatow, 58, Leslie Mann, 54, Adrien Brody, 53, Kirsten Dunst, 44, Kate Hudson, 47, John Legend, 47, Chrissy Teigen, 40, Rami Malek, 45, Demi Moore, 63, Olivia Munn, 46, Seth Rogen, 44, and Teyana Taylor, 35.
Other committee members include Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Georgina Chapman, Jon M. Chu, Nicholas Galitzine, Ludwig and Serena Göransson, Regina Hall, Jessica Lange, Greta Lee, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Questlove, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Lauren Miller Rogen and Bird Runningwater.
Taylor’s possible Oscar contender, I Knew It, I Knew You, was written and produced with Jack Antonoff, 42, for Toy Story 5, directed by Andrew Stanton, 60.
The animated film features the returning voices of Tom Hanks, 70, as Woody, Tim Allen, 73, as Buzz Lightyear, and Joan Cusack, 63, as Jessie.
Taylor previously performed the song at the film’s world premiere in June, where she also joined composer Randy Newman, 82, for a rendition of You’ve Got a Friend in Me.
Taylor Swift set to perform at pre-Oscars fundraiser
