Andrea

“It means so much to me to actually be a part of this film in some small way just because it’s such an incredible world of imagination and playfulness and mischief and humor and comedy and tragedy. It’s raised so many kids, just like me. I watched Toy Story when I was five, and I’ve watched every single one of the films so many times. So I really think that like, to be able to be welcomed into something that has welcomed me unknowingly its entire existence, just as a fan, feels very poignant for me and for my family.”

“I think the thing about Jessie’s story in Toy Story 5, without spoiling anything about the film, is that we’ve seen her since the second film and we’ve loved her since then and we’ve seen her go through such heartbreak and such triumphs and loss and we’ve learned her backstory. But in Toy Story 5, we see such a character development, and really lessons that I could relate to as she’s grown up and as she’s learned more about her experiences and her memories, not just with Bonnie but also with Emily.”

“I think when people hear the song I Knew It, I Knew You at the end of Toy Story 5, I think that it would be really awesome if they thought of someone that they had amazing memories with, that they haven’t seen in a long time, or someone that they miss, knowing that that person could come back into their life, or just the feeling that sometimes people’s paths diverge and that doesn’t mean that that’s the last time that you get to feel those memories or know that person. And sometimes when you look back on your childhood, those memories—that’s special in itself.”

“I would like to say that Joan Cusack has done such an extraordinary job as Jessie. It was an honor to write for her. And I’m very lucky that I got to write for this film, and that’s all thanks to Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris, who wrote and directed this film, and thought of me, and reached out to me, and let me get to experience it and be inspired by it. But I’m also lucky enough to be here because of someone else who is the architect of the Toy Story musical universe. He is the king of making us feel the absolute most and pulling at our heartstrings and making us laugh and making us like, he’s one of our friends, you know what I mean? I’m talking about Randy Newman.”

“We had just worked together, and she sent me this very mysterious text that was like, ‘The movie’s great. Just saw the movie.’ And I was like, ‘What? I haven’t even seen the movie! What are you talking about?’ And she’s like, ‘I love your character. I just love the movie.’ And I was like [suspiciously], ‘Uh huh…’ But you know, ever the professional, she didn’t say anything more. And then I asked her directly, and she didn’t, she was just, ‘Great movie.’ I was like, ‘Okay, okay, Tay.’ I thought, ‘Maybe,’ but I didn’t know! I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t know. I hope she ends up doing it.’ And she did! [Getting a text from her] is great. She’s awesome. She loves like, a voice memo. Which I love.”

“I didn't get a selfie, but I did sign her original VHS of the first 'Toy Story.’ I told her she should have brought an original VHS machine and we could have signed it. And that could go in the Smithsonian Institute as well."

bonus visual: