LOS ANGELES — Taylor Swift was set to perform at the Academy Museum Gala on Saturday, Oct. 17, closing out the museum’s sixth annual fundraiser in Los Angeles. The Academy Museum announced her appearance on Oct. 8, ABC News reported.
It was set to be Swift’s first event with the Motion Picture Academy. The reports reviewed for this story do not say which songs she planned to play.
What the gala is
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures holds the gala each year to raise money for its exhibitions, screenings and education programs. It is often seen as an early stop in awards season, since studios and filmmakers use the evening to promote their Oscar contenders.
Amy Homma, the museum’s director and president, called Swift “an extraordinary talent whose work resonates around the world.” She said the museum looked forward to a performance that would close the evening.
Who was honored
- Charlize Theron received the Icon Award.
- Colman Domingo received the Vantage Award.
- John Carpenter received the Luminary Award. He hosted four nights of screenings of his films at the museum, including “Halloween,” in connection with its new horror exhibition.
The gala was co-chaired by Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw. Rolex is the museum’s founding supporter and the event’s exclusive partner. Last year’s gala honored Penélope Cruz, Bowen Yang, Walter Salles and Bruce Springsteen, who also performed.
Why Swift’s appearance drew attention
Swift, 36, has written several songs for films but has not been nominated for an Oscar. This season she is considered a contender in the best original song category for “I Knew It, I Knew You,” which she wrote for the Pixar film “Toy Story 5.” She released the song in June, and it topped the Billboard Hot 100.
She also performed the song at the film’s premiere in June and played it in a piano mashup at the Grammy Museum in August. Earlier this year she received the MTV VMAs’ first-ever Artist Director Honors, and she released four bonus tracks from her album “The Life of a Showgirl.”
What’s next
Oscar nominations are announced after the new year.
