Why did Taylor Swift originally decline ‘Toy Story 5’ song before changing her mind?

Producer Jessica Choi revealed the film team pursued Swift with a female focused vision for the sequel

Producer Jessica Choi has revealed that Taylor Swift was not immediately on board with contributing to Toy Story 5, sharing details of the personal letter she sent to the singer in an effort to convince her to join the project.

The revelation emerged after Choi posted the letter publicly, giving fans a rare look at the behind the scenes efforts that went into securing Swift’s involvement. According to the letter, Swift had originally declined an invitation to create an original song for the upcoming Pixar sequel.

In her message, Choi explained that the creative team was determined to make Toy Story 5 a more female driven film. She highlighted the importance of bringing together women both on screen and behind the scenes, and said Swift’s contribution would help strengthen that vision.

Choi reportedly told the singer that the film aimed to celebrate female friendships and experiences while continuing the legacy of one of Pixar’s most successful franchises. The producer also emphasised how much the team admired Swift’s songwriting and storytelling abilities.

Although Swift initially passed on the opportunity, Choi continued pursuing the idea and made a personal appeal through the letter. Fans have reacted positively to the producer’s persistence, praising the respectful approach and the passion shown for the project.

Discussion about the letter quickly spread across social media, with many users expressing surprise that Swift had first declined the request. Others noted that the revelation demonstrated how major collaborations often require lengthy conversations before agreements are reached.

The singer has become increasingly selective about outside projects in recent years, focusing on her own music releases, touring commitments and film related ventures. Because of that schedule, many fans understood why she may have hesitated when first approached.

Choi’s letter also offered insight into the priorities behind Toy Story 5. Rather than simply continuing the franchise, the producer indicated that the creative team wanted the sequel to present stronger female perspectives and ensure that women played a central role in shaping the story.