Amanda Seyfried Refutes Claims That Viral Joni Mitchell Cover Was Biographical

Amanda Seyfried’s Recent Performance

Amanda Seyfried has clarified that her recent viral cover of Joni Mitchell’s song in California was not aimed at auditioning for the folk legend’s biographical film.

Celebrity Support for Seyfried

Earlier this month, actor Amanda Seyfried appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she performed an impromptu cover of the 1971 California classic, impressing the audience while playing the dulcimer. Since then, many celebrities and fans have begun a campaign for the Mamma Mia! and Les Misérables actor to portray young Joni in the upcoming biopic. Notable supporters include Jamila Jamil, Regina Spektor, Gwen Stefani, Maya Hawke, Ryan Tedder, Charlie Puth, Matt Bomer, Sheryl Crow, Aaron Paul, and Kate Hudson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly0kgs2uioa

However, Seyfried recently explained in a conversation with Variety that she had never intended for her performance to be seen as an audition: “It was not an audition. In fact, I didn’t even think of it that way; it’s ridiculous. What I do know about this project is that I would be very, very interested in playing young Joni.”

Upcoming Joni Mitchell Biopic

Currently, a biographical film about Joni Mitchell is in the works under the direction of Almost Famous filmmaker Cameron Crowe. The project was first revealed in 2023, although a cast has yet to be announced.

The film has been in development for several years, with work on it ongoing for at least two years. In October of last year, the director provided an optimistic update on its status, expressing hopes to finish the project by Christmas 2025.

Previously, it was reported that Meryl Streep, a close friend of Mitchell, was in negotiations to portray the older version of the singer-songwriter in the biographical film, though neither Crowe, Streep, nor Mitchell has confirmed the casting.