Joni Mitchell has become a US citizen at the age of 82, completing a journey that began when she moved from Canada to the United States in 1965.
The singer-songwriter announced her naturalization on Instagram, sharing a photograph with an American flag and footage from her citizenship ceremony.
Mitchell is expected to keep her Canadian citizenship, as both the United States and Canada allow dual citizenship.
In the caption of her post, she described the milestone as a journey spanning more than six decades.
"A journey that began 62 years ago," Mitchell wrote.
The ceremony footage showed Mitchell seated in the front row as an announcer identified her as a Canadian attendee, prompting cheers and applause.
"And Joni Mitchell, Canada" was the announcement heard in the video.
From Canada to California
Born Roberta Joan Anderson in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Mitchell is the daughter of Royal Canadian Air Force flight Lt.
William Andrew Anderson and teacher Myrtle Marguerite.
Her family lived at several military bases during World War II before settling in Saskatoon, which she has often described as her hometown.
Mitchell attended the Alberta College of Art in Calgary before leaving school and moving to Toronto, where she performed at coffeehouses and folk clubs.
In 1965, at age 21, she relocated to the United States after marrying American folk singer Chuck Mitchell.
The couple performed as a folk duo in Detroit, Michigan, before divorcing in 1967.
Mitchell then moved to New York City, joined the Greenwich Village folk scene, and performed along the East Coast.
By 1968, she had settled in Los Angeles' Laurel Canyon, an area that attracted singer-songwriters including David Crosby and Graham Nash.
She later moved to the Bel Air neighborhood, where she lived for decades in a historic home dating to the 1920s.
Her California years included the creation of acclaimed albums such as "Blue," "Court and Spark," and "Ladies of the Canyon."
Mitchell has won 11 Grammy Awards and was inducted into both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997.
She received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2021 and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2023.
Mitchell currently lives in Santa Barbara, California.
Political Remarks and Public Criticism
Her new citizenship follows years of public criticism of President Donald Trump.
During a performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in October 2024, Mitchell performed her 1985 song "Dog Eat Dog" and added a pointed reference to the president while singing about wealthy financiers.
"Like Donald Trump!" Mitchell added during the performance, according to Billboard.
After the song, an audience member shouted an anti-Trump remark, prompting Mitchell to respond with a reference to a protest song by rapper YG featuring the late rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle.
"'F--- Donald Trump.' I love that song," Mitchell said, apparently referring to the 2016 track "FDT (F--- Donald Trump)."
Mitchell also urged Americans to participate in the 2024 presidential election, when Trump faced Democratic nominee and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
She expressed frustration that her Canadian citizenship prevented her from voting in US elections.
"Everybody get out and vote. This is an important one.
I wish I could vote. I'm Canadian.
I'm one of those lousy immigrants," Mitchell said.
In March 2026, Mitchell addressed the political climate in the United States while accepting a lifetime achievement award at Canada's Juno Awards.
She praised Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and contrasted her experience in Canada with developments in the United States.
"I'm so glad to be back in Canada. This man is a blessing.
You guys are so fortunate," Mitchell said.
She also referred to conditions in the United States while speaking at the ceremony.
"I'm living in the states, and you know what's happening there," Mitchell said.
Following those remarks, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle responded when The Independent asked about Mitchell's comments.
"Who the hell is Joni Mitchell?" Ingle said.
Mitchell also appeared to oppose the Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
While accepting the award for Best Historical Album, she wore an "ICE OUT" pin, joining other entertainers protesting US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
