Joni Mitchell becomes US citizen: ‘A journey that began 62 years ago’

Canada-born singer-songwriter, 82, posts footage of citizenship ceremony to Instagram

Joni Mitchell has become a US citizen, after first moving to the country in the mid-1960s. The Canada-born singer-songwriter, 82, posted footage of her citizenship ceremony on her Instagram account, along with a photo of her next to an American flag, accompanied by the caption: “A journey that began 62 years ago.”

At a concert in 2024, Mitchell said: “Fuck Donald Trump, I love that song,” referring to the rap track by YG. She added: “I wish I could vote ... I’m a Canadian. I’m one of those lousy immigrants.”

She released her debut album in 1968, and soon after, using the album’s royalties, moved to Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon where she recorded her first gold-selling album, Ladies of the Canyon. She remained based in California and currently lives in Santa Barbara.

Mitchell’s most recent studio album is Shine, from 2007. After that she spent a number of years out of the public eye, suffering a brain aneurysm in 2015 that required extensive recovery. But she returned to live performance in 2022 with an unannounced set at the Newport folk festival, and has since performed a number of all-star “Joni Jam” concerts.