South African music sensation Tyla is adding another major achievement to her rapidly growing list of accomplishments — this time in the world of animation.
The Grammy Award-winning star has officially joined the voice cast of Disney and Pixar’s highly anticipated “Toy Story 5”, marking her debut as a voice actress and fulfilling a dream she publicly spoke about years ago.
Back in 2023, the Johannesburg-born singer playfully posted on social media: “Disney, hmu when you’re free. I just wanna be a princessssss.”
Disney, hmu when you free👸🏽
— Tyla (@Tyllaaaaaaa) October 18, 2023
At the time, it seemed like a lighthearted message from an ambitious young artist. Today, it looks more like another example of Tyla’s remarkable ability to turn dreams into reality.
Disney and Pixar have confirmed that the 24-year-old singer will voice the character Inflatable Flamingo in the Sub-Saharan African version of the film, becoming one of the few African artists to lend their voice to one of the world’s most successful animated franchises.
For Tyla, the opportunity carries special significance.
“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,” she said.
The announcement places Tyla alongside an impressive lineup of Hollywood talent. The film sees the return of franchise favourites Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear and Joan Cusack as Jessie. New additions to the cast include comedian Conan O’Brien, actress Greta Lee and actor Tony Hale, who reprises his role as the fan-favourite character Forky.
Tyla’s latest venture comes during an extraordinary period in her career. Since her breakthrough hit Water became a global phenomenon, she has transformed into one of Africa’s biggest international stars.
The singer has earned multiple Grammy Awards, broken streaming records and performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. Her success has helped introduce South African music and culture to audiences across the globe, making her one of the country’s most influential young entertainers.
The Disney role follows another major film-related achievement. In 2025, Tyla featured on the soundtrack for the animated blockbuster Smurfs, contributing the song Everything Goes With Blue alongside a star-studded lineup that included Rihanna and Cardi B.
Now, with a role in Toy Story 5, Tyla is expanding beyond music and establishing herself as a multi-talented entertainer capable of crossing into film and voice acting.
According to Disney and Pixar, the latest instalment of the beloved franchise will see Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the toy gang facing a modern challenge unlike anything they’ve encountered before.
The story centres around the growing influence of technology in children’s lives, introducing a new character named Lilypad, a tablet device that believes it knows what’s best for Bonnie. The conflict sets the stage for a battle between traditional toys and the digital world, a theme expected to resonate with audiences of all ages.
The film is directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton, known for his work on Finding Nemo and WALL-E, alongside co-director Kenna Harris. Legendary composer Randy Newman also returns to create the film’s score, continuing a musical legacy that has become synonymous with the franchise.
For South African fans, Tyla’s casting represents another proud moment in her remarkable rise from Johannesburg teenager to international superstar. What began as a dream shared on social media has become yet another career milestone, proving once again that the singer’s ambitions rarely remain wishes for long.
As excitement builds ahead of the film’s release, audiences across Africa will soon hear a familiar South African voice in one of Disney and Pixar’s most iconic universes.
Toy Story 5 is set to open in cinemas worldwide on June 19.
