Legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell has officially become a U.S. citizen after more than six decades since leaving Canada. The 82-year-old artist announced the news on Instagram and X, sharing a photo and video from her naturalization ceremony. In the image, Mitchell is seen smiling, wearing a red beret and sunglasses, and holding a small American flag. The second slide shows a video of her receiving applause at the ceremony, with her caption stating, “A journey that began 62 years ago.”
Born Roberta Joan Anderson in Fort Macleod, Alta., Mitchell moved to the U.S. in the mid-1960s during a brief marriage to American musician Chuck Mitchell. She lived in Detroit, New York, and eventually settled in California, where she became a prominent figure in the Laurel Canyon music scene. While currently residing in Santa Barbara, Calif., she also maintains a second residence on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast.
Known for iconic songs like “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Woodstock,” Mitchell’s 1971 album “Blue” is widely recognized as one of her seminal works. Her illustrious career has spanned from performing in Toronto coffee houses as a folk singer to becoming one of the most influential songwriters in history. With 19 studio albums, Mitchell has received numerous accolades, including 11 Grammys, five Juno Awards, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The timing of Mitchell’s U.S. citizenship, given her recent vocal political expressions, has garnered interest. Although she previously expressed a desire to vote in the U.S., citing her Canadian nationality, it remains unclear if this influenced her decision to become a U.S. citizen. Mitchell will maintain dual citizenship, retaining her Canadian passport alongside her American citizenship.
The news of Mitchell’s U.S. citizenship has evoked mixed reactions on social media, with some celebrating the announcement while others questioned its timing amid strained U.S.-Canada relations and Mitchell’s criticism of former President Donald Trump. Despite the varying opinions, Mitchell’s journey from a Canadian folk singer to an American citizen adds a new chapter to her remarkable life story, which may soon be depicted on the big screen in a biopic reportedly in development, with director Cameron Crowe and actor Meryl Streep attached to the project.