Keira Knightley has revealed how intimidated she was to step into a recording studio in the upcoming film Begin Again for her role as an aspiring singer/songwriter.

“When I signed up for the film it was really the script that drew me and I didn’t think too much about the singing aspect for some odd reason,” said Knightley. “Then when I was confronted with having to do the actual singing I started to become very anxious. Suddenly I found myself in a recording studio with professional music people and I realised I didn’t know what I was doing! It was terrifying!”

The John Carney-directed piece stars Knightley as Gretta, the mentee of a struggling music producer played by Mark Ruffalo. Gretta blithely embarks on a mission to conquer NYC with folk music (oh, jeez) and gets her heart broken along the way by Adam Levine, the guy from Maroon 5.

New today! 'Begin Again'. Strong review from The Independent here: http://t.co/WbOOrNzEVZ @MisterGreenwich pic.twitter.com/9ORU2wOOMz

— Greenwich Pichouse (@GreenwichPH) July 11, 2014

“This film was a challenge for him, too, because film is not the world he’s used to. But he’s a natural entertainer and every fibre of his being is dedicated to performing” said Knightley of Levine’s acting, which is likely the kindest thing anyone has said about his talent, ever. Classy lady, that Knightley.

Everyone, watch @AdamLevine, @MarkRuffalo & Keira Knightley show you how to fall in lust: http://t.co/xslOuLfeDJ pic.twitter.com/1V8ZTbYDXJ

— MTV Asia (@mtvasia) July 3, 2014

Knightley is married to a musician (James Righton of The Klaxons) and he evidently did his best to teach her the ways of the music world — without too much luck. “He tried to teach me how to play the guitar and I tried not to kill him – so that was about it. And then he stopped trying to teach me the guitar because I’m not very good at it,” said Knightley. “I’m definitely not a singer but I think I’m good enough to fake it!” I am hoping so, because this movie is what’s called a “feel good” film, and god help me I can’t stay away from those.

Behind-the-scenes: 'Begin Again' starring Keira Knightley, Adama Levine, and Mark Ruffalo http://t.co/D8X3kxDU6J pic.twitter.com/Z4wCeTMAEK

— ClickTheCity (@ctctweets) July 5, 2014

“I felt that I had done enough very dramatic kinds of roles over the last five years and that I was tired of playing dark and tormented women,” said Knightley of her decision to do a film with a lighthearted tone. “It begins to wear you down and I decided that I want to do more upbeat kinds of movies where I can play characters who are maybe a little closer in spirit to who I am and how I’m feeling at this point in my life.”

And thanks to Knightley’s decision to abandon her “serious roles only for me, please” roots, we get a film with a Mark Ruffalo shower scene and probably several folk-pop tunes that you will never admit to liking. Ah, Hollywood.

Image via YouTube