Crossword Genius

Oscars featured Welcome to an American Midwesterner (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ohioan

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'midwesterner' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'oscars featured welcome to an american' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'welcome' could be 'hi' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'hi' is located in the answer.
'an' could be 'a' and 'a' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'oon' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ohioan that I've seen before include "From a US state, capital Columbus" , "American from Cleveland?" , "Midwesterner" , "Statesman" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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