Entertainment
Joni Mitchell Secures U.S. Citizenship After 62 Years
Canadian-born singer‑songwriter Joni Mitchell, 82, has become a U.S. citizen following her move to the country in the mid‑1960s. She posted footage of her citizenship ceremony on Instagram, along with a photo beside an American flag and the caption, “A journey that began 62 years ago.” The new status allows her to vote in U.S. elections, a right she had previously lamented she could not exercise.
Mitchell was born in Fort Macleod, Alberta, in 1943 and later lived in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where she performed at folk clubs before moving to Calgary and Toronto. In Toronto she met U.S. folk singer Chuck Mitchell; they married in 1965 and she relocated to the United States. The marriage ended two years later, but by that time she had established herself on the U.S. folk music scene.
She released her debut album in 1968 and used the royalties to move to Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon, where she recorded her first gold‑selling album, *Ladies of the Canyon*. She has lived in California, now residing in Santa Barbara. Her most recent studio album, *Shine*, was released in 2007.
After a brain aneurysm in 2015 that required extensive recovery, Mitchell returned to live performance in 2022 with an unannounced set at the Newport Folk Festival and has since performed several all‑star “Joni Jam” concerts.
A biopic about her life is being prepared by director Cameron Crowe, who began work on it in the early 2020s. Earlier this year, record executive Clive Davis announced at a party that Meryl Streep would portray Mitchell in the film.
Frequently asked questions
When did Joni Mitchell become a U.S. citizen?
She became a U.S. citizen after 62 years since moving to the U.S. in the mid‑1960s.
What new right does Joni Mitchell gain as a U.S. citizen?
She can now vote in U.S. elections, a right she previously lamented she could not exercise.
Who will portray Joni Mitchell in the upcoming biopic?
Meryl Streep will portray Mitchell in the biopic, as announced by record executive Clive Davis.