Lindsay Ell is officially a United States citizen. The Canadian passed the American citizenship test earlier this year, celebrating her love of the United States, while also acknowledging the responsibility she faces now as a citizen.
“I am so proud to be a dual citizen,” Ell tells Everything Nash. “It’s been something that I’ve wanted to do. I live in Nashville, and I always will. I’ve been here for ten years. And so, it’s amazing to just be able to participate in the community, and vote and have a voice. I just think it’s so important for anyone to do that in their community. So I really feel grateful and honored that I can vote now.”
When Little Big Town heard the news, they threw Ell a surprise party in honor of the accomplishment, which Ell shared on social media.
I AM OFFICIALLY AN AMERICAN. 🇺🇸
Earlier this year on the road when I passed my citizenship test, @littlebigtown threw me an American party. Ffwd to today, and all the paperwork is official. Proud to be a dual citizen. 🇺🇸🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/JVdfH3edFe
— Lindsay Ell (@lindsayell) December 8, 2022
“Earlier this year on the road when I passed my citizenship test, [Little Big Town] threw me an American party,” Ell wrote. “Here’s to the sweetest people in country music for making me feel so welcome on the road and in this country.
“Fast forward to today when I just got the paperwork and it is officially official,” she continued. “The past 11 years have been quite the journey. So many blood, sweat, and tears relocating to a place where I knew no one to start building a life. Funny that to the day, I signed my record deal 10 years ago. Let this be a reminder that you can do WHATEVER you want to in life if you want it badly enough. I am now proud to be a dual citizen.”
Ell will spend part of her first full year as an American citizen on the road with Shania Twain. Ell is serving as the opening act for all dates on Twain’s 2023 The Queen of Me Tour, an invitation Ell is still processing.
“It feels like a dream come true,” Ell acknowledges. “I just haven’t looked up to another female artist, like the way I do Shania, to find somebody who really says what she means — she stands for so many important causes, and it’s hard to stand for things as a female artist. She rides that line between being sexy and saying what you want to say, and being classy at the same time, so effortlessly. She just does it like she’s like floating on a cloud. And so I’m just really honored to be able to open for her. She’s great. She’s iconic.”
The Queen of Me Tour kicks off on April 28 in Spokane, Washington. Find all of Ell’s music and upcoming shows at LindsayEll.com.
