Amanda Seyfried says her viral dulcimer cover of Joni Mitchell’s “California” stems from work she began for a Joni Mitchell biopic that was ultimately shelved. In an interview with British GQ, the actress explains that she was attached at one point to play Mitchell and prepared by learning to perform her music. Seyfried says she studied and practiced playing the entire “Blue” album, including on dulcimer, and also trained on other instruments such as piano and guitar. The preparation contributed to the later appearance that went viral after she performed “California” briefly on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon. Seyfried’s comments tie the widely discussed performance to earlier, behind-the-scenes efforts for the proposed film. While the outlets report that the biopic did not move forward, they agree on the core details: Seyfried’s dulcimer work and broader musical training were connected to the planned Mitchell project and preceded the late-night viral moment.