Taylor Swift Wears Pale Blue Gown to 2026 Academy Museum Gala

Taylor Swift performed “The Fate of Ophelia” live for the first time at the 2026 Academy Museum Gala, taking the stage in a sparkling midnight-blue gown. The song, from her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl, spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The 14-time Grammy winner also sang “I Knew It, I Knew You,” her original song from the Toy Story 5 soundtrack, along with “Blank Space” and “Love Story.”

“It’s an insane, unprecedented honor to introduce a cherished member of our little Toy Story 5 family,” Conan O’Brien said when introducing her. “She’s John, Paul, George and Ringo all in one.”

Swift is currently campaigning for “I Knew It, I Knew You” in the best original song category at the upcoming Oscars.

Earlier in the evening, the 36-year-old singer posed for photographers on the red carpet in a custom Dior gown designed by Jonathan Anderson. The event was the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ sixth annual fundraiser, held in Los Angeles on Saturday (Oct. 17).

Swift wore diamond jewelry by Chopard, including earrings with 32.40 carats of diamonds set in platinum, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Her private concert at the gala was announced earlier in the month. The event honored Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo and filmmaker-composer John Carpenter.

Gala co-chairs Tom Ford, Robert Rodriguez, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw also attended. Other guests included Theron, Jacob Elordi and Sabrina Carpenter.

The fundraiser raised more than $14 million to support the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs and public screenings, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Saturday’s show was Swift’s first public performance since her August appearance at the Grammy Museum. There she played a mash-up of her songs and spoke with Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. about her music.

Swift attended the gala alone. Her husband, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, was preparing for the team’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday (Oct. 18).

Source: Billboard