Taylor Swift Breaks 10-Year CMA Silence After 'Toy Story 5' Country Chart Comeback Hits No. 1

Taylor Swift is ending her 10-year CMA Awards absence just as her Toy Story 5 song has delivered a major country-music milestone, reaching No. 1 on US country radio. The achievement marks Swift's first No. 1 on the format in 13 years. She is also nominated for Single of the Year at the 2026 CMA Awards.

Swift confirmed her return to the CMA Awards on 10 September, marking her first appearance at the ceremony since 2016. She shared the news on Instagram after the 2026 nominations were announced, writing, 'Looks like I haven't yee'd my last haw.' She also indicated she would attend the 18 November ceremony in Nashville.

Taylor Swift Ends Decade-Long CMA Absence

Her last CMA appearance came in 2016, when she presented Garth Brooks with the Entertainer of the Year award. While Swift has remained connected to the CMAs through nominations and awards since then, she has not attended the ceremony in a decade.

Swift has won 12 CMA Awards from 28 nominations, including Entertainer of the Year in 2009 and 2011. She also won Song of the Year in 2017 as the songwriter of Little Big Town's 'Better Man,' despite not appearing at the ceremony since 2016.

Toy Story 5 Song Delivers Major Country Milestone

Swift's CMA return comes as 'I Knew It, I Knew You,' her original song for Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5, has reached No. 1 on US country radio. It is her 13th No. 1 on US country radio as a solo artist and her 14th overall. The achievement marks her first country-radio chart-topper in 13 years.

The song was written and produced by Swift and longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. Inspired by Jessie, the Toy Story character, the track combines Swift's storytelling with the country influences that shaped the beginning of her career.

The achievement represents a return to the country format where Swift began her career before moving increasingly toward pop. Her latest No. 1 therefore comes 13 years after her previous country-radio chart-topper, making the Toy Story 5 song a notable homecoming for the singer.

Swift Earns CMA Nomination for 'Toy Story 5' Song

'I Knew It, I Knew You' is nominated for Single of the Year at the 2026 CMA Awards. Swift is competing against Ella Langley's 'Be Her' and 'Choosin' Texas,' Lainey Wilson's 'Somewhere Over Laredo' and Cody Johnson's 'The Fall.'

The nomination gives Swift another major CMA connection following her country-radio comeback. It also marks Swift's first CMA nomination in four years, after her previous recognition included a 2022 Music Video of the Year nomination for 'I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor's Version)' featuring Chris Stapleton.

Swift Could Win 13th CMA Award

A victory for 'I Knew It, I Knew You' would give Swift her 13th CMA Award. Her previous wins include two Entertainer of the Year trophies.

The potential 13th win would add another milestone to a CMA history that began during Swift's country career and now coincides with her return to the format.

The 60th annual CMA Awards will take place on Wednesday, 18 November, at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Lainey Wilson will return as host, with the ceremony airing live on ABC and Disney+ before becoming available on Hulu the following day.