Taylor Swift took the stage at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on Saturday night and gave fans something they had never heard performed live before. During the sixth annual Academy Museum Gala, Swift debuted “The Fate of Ophelia” in concert for the first time, closing out a four-song set that also included some of her biggest hits.
A Surprise Set With a Live Debut
Swift performed “The Fate of Ophelia,” a song from her 2025 album, according to TMZ. The live debut was also confirmed by Just Jared, which reported that Swift also sang “Blank Space,” “Love Story,” and her Toy Story 5 song “I Knew It, I Knew You.” The gala, held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles on October 17, marked the sixth annual edition of the event, as reported by E! News.
Comedian Conan O’Brien handled the introduction, bringing Swift out for her performance, per the same account from Vogue, which noted she was “introduced by Conan O’Brien” before she “emerged” to perform. Swift had made her entrance earlier in the gala evening before returning later for the musical set.
A Wardrobe Change Between Red Carpet and Stage
Swift arrived on the red carpet in a custom Dior gown by Jonathan Anderson paired with Chopard jewelry, according to Vogue. TMZ's account describes the red-carpet look as a custom pale-blue Dior gown with a crystal-embellished bow. For her performance, Swift ditched the baby-blue Dior gown she wore earlier in the evening to walk the red carpet, swapping it for a sparkling cobalt dress, E! News reported.
Toy Story 5 Track Gets Another Airing
“I Knew It, I Knew You” was penned for the Toy Story 5 soundtrack, according to Billboard. Swift had previously performed the track at the animated film's world premiere in June, the outlet noted, before bringing it back for an August appearance. Swift's last public performance before the gala came at the Grammy Museum in August, where she performed a mashup of “All Too Well,” “I Knew It, I Knew You,” and “August,” according to ABC News.
At that Grammy Museum conversation, Swift also reflected on her musical roots, telling Billboard, “I've loved — and I think this can happen as you grow up — my country roots more and more.” The piano mash-up of those three songs offered an early preview of the kind of career-spanning set she would later bring to the Academy Museum stage.
A Night That Raised Millions for Film Preservation
Beyond the performance, the gala served its usual purpose as one of Hollywood's biggest fundraising nights. The event raised more than $14 million for the Academy Museum's exhibitions, education initiatives, and public programs, according to Vogue's coverage of the evening. This year's gala honored John Carpenter, Colman Domingo, and Charlize Theron, according to the Academy Museum.
TMZ's report also noted that Travis Kelce was preparing for the Kansas City Chiefs' game Sunday, and that Swift attended the gala solo. For a night built around honoring film legends and raising funds for the museum's future, Swift's four-song set — capped by a song nobody had heard live before — gave the evening its headline moment.
