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Taylor Swift Performs at Academy Museum Gala, Raising Over $14M
· Confirmed
In Short: Taylor Swift performed at the 6th annual Academy Museum Gala, raising over $14 million for the museum.
Taylor Swift performed at the 6th annual Academy Museum Gala on Saturday, October 17, raising over $14 million for the museum. The event, often referred to as the 'Met Gala of the West,' took place at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
Swift's appearance was announced by the Academy on October 8, with Director and President of the Academy Museum and Academy Collection, Amy Homma, stating, 'Taylor is an extraordinary talent whose work resonates around the world.'
Swift performed four songs during the gala, including the live debut of 'The Fate of Ophelia,' and her hit 'Blank Space,' which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in 2014. She also performed 'Love Story' and the Toy Story 5 original song 'I Knew It, I Knew You,' which she wrote and produced with frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff.
Swift wore a pale blue Dior Haute Couture dress designed by Jonathan Anderson, fitting as she wore a Dior Haute Couture wedding gown by the same designer when she married Travis Kelce earlier this year.
The gala also honored John Carpenter, Colman Domingo, and Charlize Theron, with Carpenter's 1978 horror classic 'Halloween' being screened as part of the museum's new exhibition, 'The Horror Show.'
Oscar winner Jamie Lee Curtis took the stage to discuss the history and lasting impact of the horror genre, furthering the event's theme.
The Academy Museum Gala is a significant fundraiser for the museum, supporting exhibitions, film screenings, and educational programs. The museum's COO reported that the event sold out even before the honorees were announced.
Swift's performance was well-received, with stars like Connor Storrie and Rosé joining in the dance. The event's success is crucial for the museum's continued operations and accessibility to visitors of all ages.
What's confirmed
- Taylor Swift performed, and the evening raised more than $14 million for the museum.
- The 6th annual Academy Museum Gala took place Saturday, Oct.
- Taylor Swift performed her hit “Blank Space” at the Academy Museum Gala and had the star-studded crowd dancing, including Connor Storrie and Rosé! 🎉 (🎥: dannyramirez) pic.twitter.com/Bt5vaZ7OhJ Swift’s appearance comes as she makes a run at her first Oscar nomination with “I Knew It, I Knew You,” which she wrote and produced with frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff for Toy Story 5.
- Taylor Swift performed four songs at the 2026 Academy Museum Gala, including the live debut of ‘The Fate of Ophelia.’ See the complete setlist.
- Taylor Swift has arrived at the “Met Gala of the West.” The 14-time Grammy winner graced the Academy Museum Gala 2026 red carpet Saturday wearing a pale blue Dior dress fit for a pop princess.
What's still developing
- Deadline said the honorees had taken part in recent museum programming.
- Deadline's photo gallery places Swift on the carpet alongside Naomi Ackie, Curry Barker, Jaafar Jackson and Inde Navarrette.
- And to no one’s surprise, it seems T-Swift is your favorite celebrity’s favorite celebrity as Connor Storrie and Rosé were just two stars seen jamming out as she sang her 2014 hit “Blank Space.” But the performance didn’t stop there.
- Swift went solo at the gala, while husband Travis Kelce got ready for his game against Kansas City Chiefs rivals the Los Angeles Chargers, taking place on October 18 at Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri.
- This, despite what some gala-goers report as $25,000 seats and $250,000 tables.
- We’ll probably see Taylor Swift in the family box this afternoon when Kansas City plays Las Vegas in Sin City.
- Anyway, let’s hope she did since the Museum needs funds desperately and can’t afford Taylor’s fees.
- "It’s an insane, unprecedented honor to introduce a cherished member of our little Toy Story 5 family. She’s John, Paul, George and Ringo all in one. Taylor Swift."
- However, the superstar hit the carpet midway through the event and was spotted mingling in the cocktail reception area, catching up with Dakota and Elle Fanning right as they finished up photos. (Swift was also spotted keeping close to friends Sabrina Carpenter and Cara Delevingne once inside.) Those closing down the carpet included Heated Rivalry ‘s Connor Storrie, Teyana Taylor, Jodie Turner-Smith and the Kardashian-Jenners, who have a tradition of wrapping up the event every year.
- To close out the evening, Conan O’Brien introduced Swift for her performance (as both were involved in Toy Story 5 ), with the star breaking out renditions of “Blank Space,” “Love Story,” “The Fate of Ophelia” and Toy Story original song “I Knew It, I Knew You.” The latter tune she is currently pushing for best original song at the Oscars.
- Among those expected to walk the carpet are Taylor Swift, Connor Storrie, Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, Kim Kardashian, Jacob Elordi, Kendall Jenner, Eva Longoria, Salma Hayek, Inde Navarrette, Nia Long, McKenna Grace, Rosé, Sabrina Carpenter, Drew Starkey, Janelle Monáe, Pamela Anderson, Charles Melton, Alexander Skarsgård, Tom Ford and many others.
- Chu, Kirsten Dunst, Nicholas Galitzine, Ludwig and Serena Göransson, Regina Hall, Kate Hudson, Jessica Lange, Greta Lee, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Rami Malek, Demi Moore, Olivia Munn, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Questlove, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen, Bird Runningwater and Teyana Taylor.