South African global music star Tyla has reached another major milestone in her career after being announced as part of Disney and Pixar’s highly anticipated Toy Story 5. Disney Africa and Tyla recently confirmed that the Grammy Award-winning singer will join the film as a new character called “Inflatable Flamingo” in the Sub-Saharan African version of the movie, which arrives in cinemas on 19 June 2026.
Announcing the news, Disney Africa wrote: “From SA to beyond! Tyla is officially joining the Disney family as the Inflatable Flamingo in the Sub-Saharan version of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5.” The role gives the Johannesburg-born star her first film appearance and introduces a proudly South African voice to one of the most successful animated franchises in cinema history.
The Toy Story journey began in 1995 when Disney and Pixar released the original film, which became the first fully computer-animated feature film. The movie introduced audiences to Woody, Buzz Lightyear and a cast of beloved toys, launching a franchise that would grow into one of the most celebrated series in animation. Sequels followed in 1999, 2010 and 2019, entertaining generations of viewers around the world. The first Toy Story was released seven years before Tyla was born in 2002, making it likely that she grew up watching the later films that became staples of family entertainment.
The upcoming fifth instalment reunites iconic characters including Woody, Buzz and Jessie. Directed by Andrew Stanton, the film explores a new storyline described as “Toy Meets Tech”, where the toys face challenges brought by modern technology and electronic devices. The movie features returning voices such as Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack, alongside several new additions to the cast.
For Tyla, the role adds another achievement to a career that has rapidly expanded beyond music. She became a global sensation with her hit single “Water”, which earned her the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance in 2024. The song also made her the first South African solo artist in 55 years to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
Since then, Tyla has collected international awards, chart success and worldwide recognition, helping introduce amapiano-inspired sounds to new audiences. Her casting in Toy Story 5 marks her first feature film role and places her alongside some of Hollywood’s most recognisable voices in a franchise that has entertained audiences for more than three decades.
