In case you missed it, during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last week, Amanda showed off a fun skill that she learned during the pandemic — playing the dulcimer. While the instrument is not super well known, one of its most recognized players is the one and only Joni Mitchell.
Amanda, despite her nerves, delivered a jaw-dropping cover of “California,” to the audience’s delight. And Jimmy’s, if we’re going by the look on his face.
Anyway, the clip went mega-viral. It has almost 40 million views on TikTok, and the comments were gushing over Amanda’s talent. However, amid all the praise, there was one comment with over 100k likes that read, “tell me you’re auditioning for a Joni Mitchell biopic without telling me you’re auditioning…”
Fans of the legendary folk singer will know that a biopic of Joni has been in the works for about two years, and is due to be released around Christmas this year. The film, directed by Cameron Crowe, is also rumored to star Meryl Streep in the title role.
And if you’re a Mamma Mia! fan, the prospect of Meryl and Amanda reuniting to play older and younger Joni seems too good to be true. Over the past week, many people online have been speculating that Amanda’s cover on The Tonight Show was her throwing her hat in the ring in a bid to win the role of young Joni. But yesterday on the Just for Variety podcast, Amanda put the rumors to rest.
“It was not an audition,” Amanda clarified. “In fact, I didn’t even consider that, which is funny. What I know about that project is that I’m very, very much aged out of young Joni.”
“And yes, I’ve met Joni. It was years ago. And what a beautiful inspiration, you know? She’s wonderful. She’s Joni Mitchell. I learned the dulcimer… This was years ago. Way before Cameron Crowe was even born,” she joked. “I learned a lot of the songs off her Blue album after meeting her. How could you not want to? I’m a musician, like as a hobby. Of course, I sing a little bit in Mamma Mia!, but I do love to play new instruments,” she explained.
And as for Amanda’s feelings about the clip going viral, it sounds like she’s happy it did. “It might not be meant to be, but I think it was an organic moment that really had its reach, and because it was organic it’s fine with me. It feels really good,” the 39-year-old star said. “It is all as it’s meant to be.”
Well, there you have it. I still need Amanda in more musicals, but I guess I can wait until Mamma Mia! 3. You can watch her full cover of “California” here, and be sure to let me know your thoughts below.