When the New York Times ran a list of the greatest living American songwriters earlier this year, the ranking was greeted with a lot of reader flack for not including Joni Mitchell. The newspaper’s explanation at the time that was Mitchell was and remained a Canadian citizen, despite residing primarily in California, and thus the deliberate exclusion.
Now, the Times may need to update amend the list after all, because the legendary singer-songwriter is now a U.S. citizen.
On her Instagram Tuesday morning, Mitchell posted a photograph of herself, smiling as she held an American flag, standing in front of dual United States and Department of Homeland Security flags. Along with that, she posted a short video of herself being applauded as she was called up to be sworn in as a citizen.
Her simple caption: “A journey that began 62 years ago.”
No further information was immediately forthcoming from Mitchell or her reps about the surprise move to dual citizenship after six-plus decades.
Some may wonder why Mitchell picked now, of all times, to officially align herself with the U.S., given how many musicians of her generation and ilk have come out with statements suggesting that the Trump era has not been America’s proudest moment. But there’s a possibility that the current climate had something, or everything, to do with her decision.
Two years ago, in an appearance fronting a “Joni Jam” at the Hollywood Bowl, Mitchell cursed Donald Trump, then said, “I wish I could vote…I’m a Canadian. I’m one of those lousy immigrants.”
