Grammy Winner Tyla Joins the Toy Story Universe!

Photo Credit: Disney | Supplied

Grammy Award-winning superstar Tyla is heading to the big screen as part of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, bringing a proudly South African voice to one of the world’s most beloved animated franchises.

Global (09 June 2026) – The toys are back and this time a South African voice is joining the adventure.

Disney and Pixar have announced that Grammy Award-winning superstar Tyla will be part of Toy Story 5, stepping into the beloved franchise as the voice of a brand-new character for audiences across Sub-Saharan Africa.

For a generation that grew up with Woody, Buzz and Jessie, seeing one of South Africa’s biggest stars become part of that story feels pretty magical. The global music sensation will voice Inflatable Flamingo, a playful new character joining the Toy Story universe as Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the rest of the gang face their most unexpected challenge yet: technology.

For Tyla, the opportunity is more than just another career milestone. It’s a deeply personal moment tied to the films that helped shape her own childhood.

“Toy Story has been such a special part of my childhood, so being part of this film is a full-circle moment for me. I’m incredibly excited for audiences to experience it, and it means so much to know that African viewers will hear an African voice bringing one of these beloved characters to life.”

For decades, Disney and Pixar films have captured imaginations around the world but there is something particularly special about hearing a proudly South African voice woven into one of the most iconic animated franchises ever created.

Tyla’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. From Johannesburg to sold-out stages across the globe, she has become one of South Africa’s most celebrated exports, introducing international audiences to her unique sound while carrying a little bit of home with her every step of the way. Now, that journey has led her into a universe filled with talking toys, childhood memories and generations of loyal fans.

The latest chapter in the Toy Story saga sees the toys facing a challenge unlike any before. As Bonnie grows up in an increasingly digital world, Woody, Buzz, Jessie and their friends find themselves competing for attention when a brand-new tablet device named Lilypad arrives with her own ideas about what is best for their kid.

Directed by Academy Award winner Andrew Stanton and featuring music from legendary composer Randy Newman, the film promises the humour, heart and adventure audiences have loved since the original Toy Story first landed in cinemas three decades ago.

Adding even more excitement to the Toy Story 5 build-up, Taylor Swift recently released her new single, I Knew It, I Knew You, the country-inflected original song she contributed to the film. The music video is made entirely from footage from the Toy Story franchise and centres on Jessie, the beloved cowgirl who inspired the track and appears on the cover artwork. Fans can watch the video on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music.

For South Africans, however, there is an extra reason to buy a ticket to see the new Toy Story.

One of our own is stepping into one of the most beloved movie franchises of all time. And somewhere in a cinema audience this month, a young South African child will hear Tyla’s voice coming from the screen and realise that dreams can travel a very long way from home.

In 2016, Lira also lent her voice to a Disney movie. The South African singer-songwriter recorded her own version of How Far I’ll Go for Moana. Lira’s song features as the first song to play during the credits in the South African version of the movie.