TAYLOR Swift gave a rare performance in front of a star-studded crowd as she kicked off a campaign to win her first Oscar.
The superstar, 36, sang a four-track set at the glitzy Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday.
It included her single I Knew It, I Knew You, which was recorded for Toy Story 5 — and which Taylor hopes will be nominated for Best Original Song at the awards ceremony next March.
The singer made an impression in her custom Dior gown with platinum earrings featuring 32.40 carats of diamonds and a platinum bracelet.
Her look was created by Northern Irish fashion designer Jonathan Anderson, who was also behind the wedding dress she wore marrying American football player Travis Kelce three months ago.
Insiders believe Taylor was hoping the performance — which also included the live debut of her hit single The Fate of Ophelia — was her going the extra mile to woo Academy Award voters after several failed attempts to get an Oscar nomination in the past.
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She has released original tracks for a series of hit films over the years, including The Hunger Games, Fifty Shades Freed, and Cats, but has never qualified for the gong.
Her 15-minute All Too Well: The Short Film also failed to secure a nomination in 2023.
But I Knew It, I Knew You spent two weeks at No1 in the UK when it came out in June, making it Taylor’s most successful film track to date.
An industry insider said: “Taylor knows how Hollywood works and is keen to build goodwill and visibility among the people who vote for the Oscars.
“She’s made no secret of her ambition to win an Academy Award so is pulling out all the stops this year.”
If she does win an Oscar, it would bring her one step closer to one of the highest achievements in US showbiz: the EGOT — winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and a Tony.
Only 28 people have done so, and Taylor is halfway there, having bagged 14 Grammys and an Emmy.
She is also working on a musical which would put her in line for a Tony, the highest accolade in theatre.
A number of A-listers were at the fancy bash, considered LA’s answer to New York’s Met Gala.
Taylor chatted with several celebrity pals inside, including Sabrina Carpenter who wore a royal blue, backless dress with shoulder tassels.
Swift’s former foe Kim Kardashian, 45, was also at the event, channelling Elizabeth Taylor with a bouffant hairdo, an archival 1951 Balenciaga dress, and a 55.8-carat diamond necklace.
Meanwhile, actress Teyana Taylor, 35, wore a Schiaparelli torso bodysuit alongside Kylie Minogue, 58, who posed in a a slashed black gown.
Charlize Theron, 51, turned up to receive the Icon Award for her celebrated acting career.
PAMMIE FROCK FLOP
By Abby McHale, Fashion Editor
THE A-listers were out in full force at Saturday night’s Academy Museum Gala, and they sure brought some glamour to the beige carpet.
Taylor Swift, whose style I sometimes find questionable (even as a die-hard Swiftie) pulled this fit out of the bag, looking like a Disney princess in a blue Dior gown.
Kim Kardashian showed off her physique, and the back of Sabrina Carpenter’s dress was so low it risked a serious bum slip.
Meanwhile, Pamela Anderson sadly missed the mark. The 59-year-old stepped out looking more like she’d come from Little House On The Prairie than a Hollywood gala.