{"id":933146,"date":"2026-10-14T21:06:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T21:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/933146\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T21:06:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T21:06:11","slug":"joni-mitchell-becomes-a-u-s-citizen-a-journey-that-began-62-years-ago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/933146\/","title":{"rendered":"Joni Mitchell becomes a U.S. citizen, ‘a journey that began 62 years ago’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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More than six decades after leaving Canada, legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell has officially become a U.S. citizen.<\/p>\n

The 82-year-old artist shared the news on Instagram<\/a> and X<\/a> on Tuesday, posting a photo and video from her naturalization ceremony. <\/p>\n

In the image, Mitchell is seen smiling and wearing a red beret and sunglasses, holding a small American flag with stars and stripes pinned to her cardigan. The second slide shows a video of her being applauded as she steps forward at the ceremony.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Her caption was brief: “A journey that began 62 years ago.” <\/p>\n

CBC News reached out to Mitchell’s representatives, but did not hear back. CBC News found no further explanation of her decision elsewhere. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Born Roberta Joan Anderson in Fort Macleod, Alta., in 1943, Mitchell moved to the United States in the mid-1960s during a brief marriage to American musician Chuck Mitchell. <\/p>\n

She lived in Detroit and New York before settling in California, where she became a defining figure in the Laurel Canyon music scene. <\/p>\n

While she now resides in Santa Barbara, Calif., she continues to maintain a second residence on British Columbia\u2019s Sunshine Coast. <\/p>\n

Mitchell is known for songs like Big Yellow Taxi and Woodstock and for the 1971 album Blue, widely regarded as one of her landmark works.\u00a0<\/p>\n

WATCH | Joni Mitchell performs Big Yellow Taxi:<\/p>\n

Mitchell\u2019s career has seen her evolve from a folk singer in Toronto coffee houses to one of the most influential songwriters in history. <\/p>\n

With 19 studio albums, her accolades include 11 Grammys, five Juno Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n

Given Mitchell’s vocal political stances in recent years, the timing of her U.S. citizenship has sparked some curiosity. According to a press release posted on her website<\/a>, at a 2024 Hollywood Bowl performance, Mitchell used an expletive to describe U.S. President Donald Trump and urged the crowd to vote.<\/p>\n

“I wish I could vote [in the U.S.]. I\u2019m Canadian,” she told the audience at the time. “I\u2019m one of those lousy immigrants.” She did not say whether that experience influenced her decision to become a U.S. citizen.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The transition to citizenship does not mean a parting of ways with her home country. Canada and the U.S. allow for dual citizenship, meaning Mitchell will retain her Canadian passport. <\/p>\n

Mitchell\u2019s decision to become a U.S. citizen has drawn mixed reactions on social media. Some celebrated the news. On X, user @NicoFranckerdk<\/a> called it a “special moment for Joni.” <\/p>\n

\"X<\/p>\n

X user @NicoFranckerdk celebrates Joni Mitchell\u2019s announcement that she has become a U.S. citizen. (NicoFranckerdk\/X)<\/p>\n

X user @CanadaLinty<\/a> wrote, “Just in time to vote in the midterms. Welcome aboard from another Cdn expat.”<\/p>\n

Others questioned the timing of the announcement amid strained U.S.-Canada relations and Mitchell’s outspoken criticism of Trump. <\/p>\n

X user @QueenofLaundry<\/a> expressed her disapproval, writing “What?! Jesus READ THE ROOM Joni! Not impressed at all.”<\/p>\n

\"X<\/p>\n

X user @QueenofLaundry expressed disapproval of Mitchell\u2019s news. (@QueenofLaundry\/X)<\/p>\n

X user @FDelicioso<\/a> wrote, “Never did I think I\u2019d see Joni Mitchell be so completely tone deaf.”<\/p>\n

After a 2015 brain aneurysm impacted her speech and mobility, Mitchell spent years in recovery before returning to public performance in 2022. <\/p>\n

In March, Prime Minister Mark Carney presented her with a lifetime achievement award at the Juno Awards in Hamilton, Ont. <\/p>\n

As Mitchell officially joins the ranks of American citizens, the world may soon see her life story on the big screen. According to IMDb<\/a>, a biopic is reportedly in development, with director Cameron Crowe and actor Meryl Streep attached to the project.<\/p>\n