Joni Mitchell Becomes a U.S. Citizen After Decades in America
Better late than never! Joni Mitchell, the renowned Canadian singer-songwriter, has officially become a U.S. citizen after making her way to the States in the mid-1960s.
The 82-year-old shared a video from her naturalization ceremony on Instagram, accompanied by a photo of herself next to an American flag with the caption: “A journey that began 62 years ago.”
In the photo, Mitchell is seen beaming, dressed in a red beret and sunglasses, with decorative stars and stripes adorning her cardigan lapel. This new status allows her to vote in U.S. elections, a right she had previously expressed frustration about not having.
During a concert in 2024, it was reported that Mitchell expressed her views on Donald Trump, stating her admiration for a particular rap song while lamenting her inability to vote as a Canadian immigrant. She referred to herself as “one of those lousy immigrants.”
More recently, she took another swipe at Trump during an appearance in Canada where she received a lifetime achievement award at the Juno Awards. Mitchell remarked on her relief at being back in her home country, acknowledging the current state of affairs in the United States.
She praised Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, describing him as a blessing and suggesting that Canadians are fortunate to have him.
When asked for a comment on her remarks, a White House spokesperson responded rather dismissively, asking, “Who the hell is Joni Mitchell?”
Mitchell’s journey to U.S. citizenship is intriguing. Born in Fort Macleod, Alberta, in 1943, she eventually moved with her family to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Her early performances took place in local folk clubs before she ventured to Calgary and Toronto, where she met Chuck Mitchell, a U.S. folk singer. They married in 1965, after which she moved to the U.S. This marriage, however, was short-lived, ending just two years later.
Since then, Mitchell has called the U.S. home. A documentary about her life is currently in the works, directed by Cameron Crowe, who began this project in the early 2020s. Earlier this year, it was announced that Meryl Streep would portray Mitchell in an upcoming biopic, although a title for the film has not yet been revealed.
