KEY POINT
- Taylor Swift performed “The Fate of Ophelia” live for the first time, accompanied by acoustic instrumentation.
- The singer also performed “Love Story,” “Blank Space” and “I Knew It, I Knew You.”
- The sixth annual gala honored Charlize Theron, Colman Domingo and filmmaker John Carpenter.
Swift’s performance was a major musical highlight of the evening at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The 14-time Grammy winner introduced a live acoustic rendition of “The Fate of Ophelia,” a track from her album The Life of a Showgirl.
She followed it with two established hits, “Love Story” and “Blank Space,” before performing “I Knew It, I Knew You,” identified in the event coverage as her recent contribution to the Toy Story 5 soundtrack.
The set brought together music from different stages of Swift’s career, giving attendees a performance that included both familiar songs and a newly presented live arrangement.
Before taking the stage, Swift arrived in a strapless, pale blue Dior gown made from pleated silk and featuring a beaded bow. She accessorized with Chopard diamond jewelry and Aquazzura shoes, completing the look with softly curled hair and pale pink lipstick.
She later changed into a sequined cobalt-blue dress for her performance, creating a distinct look for the musical portion of the evening.
Swift was among several recognizable names attending the gala. Charlize Theron, Rosé, Connor Storrie, Jessica Alba and Yara Shahidi were also featured in coverage of the event.
The Academy Museum Gala has become an annual fundraising occasion supporting the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs and public film screenings. Now in its sixth year, the event brings together figures from entertainment and cinema while raising money for the institution’s activities.
This year’s honorees represented different areas of filmmaking. Theron received the Icon Award, Colman Domingo was recognized with the Vantage Award, and filmmaker and composer John Carpenter received the Luminary Award.
The evening was co-chaired by Tom Ford, Steven Spielberg, Robert Rodriguez and Kate Capshaw. Its host committee included Demi Moore, Teyana Taylor, Kate Hudson, Greta Lee, Kirsten Dunst and Jessica Alba.
Swift’s live debut of “The Fate of Ophelia” gave the gala a musical moment beyond its red-carpet appearances and awards. The acoustic presentation also distinguished the new performance from her versions of established hits.
Amy Homma, director and president of the Academy Museum and Academy Collection, previously praised Swift’s international reach, describing her as an extraordinary talent whose work resonates around the world.
The combination of a first live performance, multiple career-spanning songs and a high-profile museum fundraiser made Swift one of the evening’s central musical attractions.
