Joni Mitchell explains her decision to become a U.S. citizen
More than six decades after leaving Canada, legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell has officially become a U.S. citizen. The announcement has drawn mixed reactions given her outspoken political views.
Canada-born singer-songwriter, 82, posted footage of citizenship ceremony to social media
Christine Pagulayan · CBC News
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More than six decades after leaving Canada, legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell has officially become a U.S. citizen.
The 82-year-old artist shared the news on Instagram and X on Tuesday, posting a photo and video from her naturalization ceremony.
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.
Her caption was brief: "A journey that began 62 years ago."
CBC News reached out to Mitchell's representatives, but did not hear back. CBC News found no further explanation of her decision elsewhere.
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.
She lived in Detroit and New York before settling in California, where she became a defining figure in the Laurel Canyon music scene.
While she now resides in Santa Barbara, Calif., she continues to maintain a second residence on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast.
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.
WATCH | Joni Mitchell performs Big Yellow Taxi:
Mitchell’s career has seen her evolve from a folk singer in Toronto coffee houses to one of the most influential songwriters in history.
With 19 studio albums, her accolades include 11 Grammys, five Juno Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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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, at a 2024 Hollywood Bowl performance, Mitchell used an expletive to describe U.S. President Donald Trump and urged the crowd to vote.
"I wish I could vote [in the U.S.]. I’m Canadian," she told the audience at the time. "I’m one of those lousy immigrants." She did not say whether that experience influenced her decision to become a U.S. citizen.
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.
Mitchell’s decision to become a U.S. citizen has drawn mixed reactions on social media. Some celebrated the news. On X, user @NicoFranckerdk called it a "special moment for Joni."
X user @NicoFranckerdk celebrates Joni Mitchell’s announcement that she has become a U.S. citizen. (NicoFranckerdk/X)
X user @CanadaLinty wrote, "Just in time to vote in the midterms. Welcome aboard from another Cdn expat."
Others questioned the timing of the announcement amid strained U.S.-Canada relations and Mitchell's outspoken criticism of Trump.
X user @QueenofLaundry expressed her disapproval, writing "What?! Jesus READ THE ROOM Joni! Not impressed at all."
X user @QueenofLaundry expressed disapproval of Mitchell’s news. (@QueenofLaundry/X)
X user @FDelicioso wrote, "Never did I think I’d see Joni Mitchell be so completely tone deaf."
After a 2015 brain aneurysm impacted her speech and mobility, Mitchell spent years in recovery before returning to public performance in 2022.
In March, Prime Minister Mark Carney presented her with a lifetime achievement award at the Juno Awards in Hamilton, Ont.
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 biopic is reportedly in development, with director Cameron Crowe and actor Meryl Streep attached to the project.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christine Pagulayan is a Toronto-based producer and writer with CBC News, currently with the Entertainment unit. She has worked in various roles at CBC News Network and The National. She has also worked as a multiplatform reporter in Toronto, Winnipeg, Halifax and Moncton. You can reach her at christine.pagulayan@cbc.ca.
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