Joni Mitchell becomes a US citizen and says she stays Canadian
Singer Joni Mitchell, who was born in Canada, is now a US citizen, more than six decades after she moved to the United States. She posted a photo from her ceremony on Tuesday with the caption "A journey that began 62 years ago." On Thursday, she said she did it so she could vote and will keep her Canadian citizenship.
Joni Mitchell has become a US citizen, more than 60 years after she moved to the United States, CBC News, CNN, The Guardian and Variety reported. Mitchell, 82, was born in Fort Macleod, Alberta, in 1943, CBC, CNN and The Guardian reported.
She posted a photo and a video from her naturalization ceremony on Instagram on Tuesday, CBC, CNN and Variety reported. In the photo, she smiles and holds a small American flag, CBC, CNN and Variety reported. Her caption read, "A journey that began 62 years ago," CBC, CNN, The Guardian and Variety reported.
On Thursday, Mitchell explained why. "I became a citizen so I could vote. I didn't give up my Canadian citizenship, and I never will," she said in a social media post, according to CBC and Variety. "I'm a proud Canerican like Neil Young," she said, according to CBC and Variety. Canada and the United States allow dual citizenship, CBC and CNN reported.
Mitchell has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, CBC reported. At a 2024 concert, she said, "I wish I could vote," adding, "I'm one of those lousy immigrants," CBC, CNN, The Guardian and Variety reported. The concert was at the Hollywood Bowl, CBC, CNN and Variety reported. CBC reported that it reached out to her representatives and did not hear back. Variety reported that no more details came from Mitchell or her team.
Some fans cheered the news on social media, while others questioned the timing amid strained relations between the two countries, CBC reported. CNN also noted the strained relations.
Mitchell moved to the United States in the mid-1960s during a brief marriage to folk singer Chuck Mitchell, CBC, CNN and The Guardian reported. She later settled in California and lives in Santa Barbara, CBC and The Guardian reported. She suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015 and returned to live performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 2022, The Guardian and Variety reported.
What we know: Mitchell is now a US citizen, says she wants to vote and is keeping her Canadian citizenship.
What we don't: Where the ceremony took place and whether she plans to vote in the November midterm elections.
Where outlets agree CBC News, CNN, The Guardian and Variety all report that Mitchell shared her citizenship ceremony with the caption "A journey that began 62 years ago."
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.