Joan Cusack made a rare red carpet appearance on Tuesday night at the premiere of Toy Story 5 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The actress, who reprises her role as Jessie in the fifth instalment of the beloved franchise, had not walked a red carpet in 11 years.
Cusack explained why she has largely stayed out of the Hollywood spotlight. 'Toy Story 5 marks her return to acting after six years. 'I feel so honoured to be able to work in this industry for a long time, but it's also great to live your life and raise your kids and be in Chicago and be a normal person,' she said. 'It's kind of priceless.'
Cusack has owned and operated a gift shop, Judy Maxwell Home, in her native Chicago since 2014. She has voiced Jessie in all Toy Story films since the franchise launched in 1995. She admitted she never thought she would still be playing the character in 2026, and initially believed the role would be minor. 'I just thought they cast me because they thought it was gonna be funny to have a cowgirl with the Chicago accent,' she said.
Cusack also appeared at a Toy Story 5 launch event in London in late May. Taylor Swift's new end credits song, 'I Knew It, I Knew You,' was inspired by Jessie's story. 'Hopefully, it'll make more people come to the movie,' Cusack said of Swift's involvement.
The film sees Woody and Buzz reunite to save Bonnie from her new Lilypad smart tablet, teaming up with Jessie, Forky, Slinky Dog, Hamm, Trixie and an army of Buzz Lightyears to stop technology from taking over children's lives.
