After years of reluctantly saying “yeehaw,” Joan Cusack has finally embraced her inner cowgirl with the iconic phrase.
After repeatedly being asked to say “yeehaw” during her time playing the red-headed cowgirl doll, Jessie, Cusack admitted that she did not love it at first, “‘Don’t you have enough yeehaws in the bank somewhere?'” Cusack would tell the recording team. “Why do I have to keep saying yeehaw?'”
With a laugh, Cusack said, “And then something happened, and I came to love saying yeehaw,” per People.
Jessie is a fearless yet loving and sensitive character. Since her first appearance in Toy Story 2, she has captured the hearts of fans and the actress who plays her.
“It’s such a fun feeling to say yeehaw. And when someone tells me good news, I will text them, ‘Yeehaw.’ She’s part of me,” Cusack shares.
Joan Cusack returns as Jessie for Toy Story 5. Since opening on Friday, the new movie has already broken box-office records.
“It’s a really special movie about girls and about tech and about human connection,” Cusack shares. “I’m just really overwhelmed that this is such a beautiful movie and I get to be part of it.”
Jessie appears as the heroine of the film as she tries to teach the importance of using your imagination and forming connections outside of technology.
“I love her spirit and her joy. And this movie is just unbelievable to me,” Cusack said about her beloved character. Cusack made her first red carpet appearance in 11 years during the Toy Story 5 premiere, per People. The actress took 11 years away from Hollywood to focus on living life as a “normal person,” raising her kids in Chicago. She chose to return due to her love of the story and industry.
The film also features Tom Hanks returning as Woody and Tim Allen returning as Buzz Lightyear.