Taylor Swift's friendship with Abigail Anderson has lasted more than two decades, and it just gained a delightfully odd new chapter. The 36-year-old singer revealed on Sunday, November 1, that she and her high school BFF still chat in Napoleon Dynamite voices, a habit their husbands have to tolerate. Here's everything you need to know about the quirky tradition, the friendship behind it and the Toy Story 5 moment that sparked the story.
Key Facts
- The habit: Swift and Anderson still trade impressions of characters from the 2004 comedy Napoleon Dynamite, a routine dating to their teens.
- The setting: Swift shared the story at a Toy Story 5 screening and Q&A in New York City on November 1.
- The husbands: Swift married Travis Kelce in July 2026, and Anderson married Charles Berard in 2022.
- The history: Anderson helped inspire Swift's song "Fifteen" and has been Swift's close friend since they were both 14.
What Taylor Swift Revealed
Swift shared the story while joining filmmaker Andrew Stanton for a conversation after the screening, according to Hello!. She wore a black long-sleeved top with a black leather pencil skirt and matching heels. The talk turned personal when she explained why the friendship between the film's Bonnie and Blaze hit home.
"We still do this. It's something our husbands have to put up with," Swift joked at the event.
That line drew laughs, and Swift didn't stop at describing it. She delivered her best impression for the crowd, per Heavy.
Now for how the tradition began.
How the Friendship Began
Swift recalled moving to Nashville at 14 and landing at a new school as the new kid. (She has long said that wasn't an easy time.) Then she met a girl who shared her sense of humor.
"All we wanted to do was talk in Napoleon Dynamite voices," Swift said, recalling their first days as friends.
It's a sweet detail, and it shows how a silly inside joke can anchor a friendship for decades. Swift also noted that Anderson has curly hair, just like Blaze in the film.
"She even has curly hair, too, like Blaze," Swift said, drawing the connection between her real-life BFF and the on-screen duo.
Abigail Anderson's Role in Taylor's Story
Longtime fans know Anderson's name from Swift's music. She helped inspire "Fifteen," the coming-of-age track on Swift's 2008 album Fearless, and she also appeared in the song's music video. Swift sings about "a redhead named Abigail" who becomes a friend for life.
Anderson has stayed close through every era since. She joined Swift at the 2015 Grammy Awards and appeared in the 2020 Netflix documentary Miss Americana. Swift also name-checked her in the 2025 song "Ruin the Friendship," per Fox 35 Orlando's profile of Anderson.
Taylor Swift and Abigail Anderson attend the 57th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 8, 2015. Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Swift was a bridesmaid when Anderson married photographer Matt Lucier in September 2017. That marriage ended in separation in 2021, according to PEOPLE, as reported by Fox. Anderson married Berard in 2022 and welcomed her first child in 2024.
The Toy Story 5 Connection
The setting wasn't random. Swift and Jack Antonoff wrote and produced "I Knew It, I Knew You" for Toy Story 5, a song inspired by the cowgirl Jessie. The film's score comes from returning franchise favorite Randy Newman.
Swift has said an early screening sparked the song idea. At Sunday's event, though, it was the story of Bonnie and Blaze that sent her thoughts back to Anderson and the joy of being understood by someone who knew her long before the stadium tours.
Married Life and What Comes Next
Both friendships now include husbands, which makes the quip land even harder. Swift and Kelce wed in July 2026 in New York City after three years of dating, per Hello!. Anderson and Berard were on hand for the couple's Tight End University concert night in Nashville in June 2025. (They've also double-dated in Nashville.)
Swift's newlywed season has been packed. Fans following the couple can catch up on celebrity pairings across the pop world with Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau's relationship, explained. Football fans can also check out the latest Tom Brady dating buzz.
The Bottom Line
For all the sold-out stadiums and chart-topping albums, Swift's most enduring routine has a very small audience: one best friend and two patient husbands. Keep reading Bigwritehook for more on Swift, Kelce and the people closest to them.
