Joni Mitchell reveals the 1 reason she became a US citizen after more than 60 years

The star said she has not given up her Canadian citizenship and never will

NEED TO KNOW

Joni Mitchell is ready for her voice to be heard.

The legendary singer-songwriter, 82, recently became a U.S. citizen after living in America for more than 60 years in order to have a say in the next election.

“I became a citizen so I could vote. I didn’t give up my Canadian citizenship, and I never will,” she said in a statement on Thursday, Oct. 15. “I’m a proud Canerican like Neil Young.”

Young, who was born in Toronto, became a citizen in January 2020, saying at the time that he wanted to vote against Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Mitchell has also been vocal in her disdain for Trump, saying “F— Donald Trump” at a 2024 concert and telling the crowd she wished she could vote in the U.S.

The “Both Sides Now” singer announced on Tuesday, Oct. 13 that she was officially American, “a journey that began 62 years ago,” she wrote on social media.

Mitchell was born in Canada in 1943, but has lived in the United States since 1965, having spent time in cities like Detroit, New York and Los Angeles. She currently lives in Santa Barbara.

In keeping with her political interests, Mitchell also announced a new book of paintings on Oct. 15 called NEWS, set for release on Nov. 4.

“In the current climate, I felt a need to express my concern. It is an artist’s duty to speak up,” she said in a statement. “NEWS is my protest song — a song not for the ears but for the eyes. This is now fake news!”

The collection of 23 paintings tries to make sense of the 24-hour news cycle through slogans, song lyrics and imagery. It was conceived and designed by Mitchell, a longtime artist who painted many of her own album covers, and will be released by Julien’s Publishing.

“Her sharp wit skewers power and politics; her voice articulates protest and resistance,” a press release says. “A powerful expression of her undimmed creative independence and vision, ‘NEWS’ is a testament to the enduring power of art.”

The paintings will be on view to the public at the L.A. Louver in Venice, Calif. on Oct. 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The book is available to purchase in a standard edition as well as 500 individually hand-numbered signed editions here and here.

Julien’s Auctions is also offering book numbers one through 10 from Oct. 15 through Oct. 29, with all proceeds benefiting the ACLU, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Save The Children, and ASPCA.