Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell was rumored to be comatose, but a friend has since denied the rumors. Pictured: Mitchell performs at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Trumpet Competition and Herbie Hancock Tribute in Hollywood in 2007. Reuters

Joni Mitchell is awake and well, despite reports that she was in a coma. It has been confirmed that the “Big Yellow Taxi” singer is still hospitalized, but that she is alert and expected to make a full recovery.

“Contrary to rumors circulating on the Internet today, Joni is not in a coma,” a statement on the JoniMitchell.com website reads. “Joni is still in the hospital -- but she comprehends, she’s alert, and she has her full senses.” Though the website states that Mitchell and her associates aren’t actually involved with the website, the statement was approved by Mitchell’s friend, Leslie Morris. The two have been friends for 44 years, TMZ reported.

Mitchell, 71, was hospitalized March 31 after being found unconscious in her Los Angeles home. She woke up in an ambulance, but she was still taken to the intensive care unit of a nearby hospital. The Grammy Award winner has been there for a month now.

Rumors started circulating that Mitchell was comatose when TMZ got ahold of paperwork from Morris. She filed for conservatorship of Mitchell on April 28, and the documents, which TMZ posted, say, “At his time she remains unconscious and unable to make any responses, and is therefore unable to provide for any of her personal needs.”

However, it seems that Mitchell, a current Saint Laurent model, is not in dire condition. Morris' statement on JoniMitchell.com explains that Morris was getting the rights to make medical decisions once Mitchell leaves the hospital. Read the full statement below:

“Contrary to rumors circulating on the Internet today, Joni is not in a coma. Joni is still in the hospital - but she comprehends, she’s alert, and she has her full senses. A full recovery is expected. The document obtained by a certain media outlet simply gives her longtime friend Leslie Morris the authority - in the absence of 24-hour doctor care - to make care decisions for Joni once she leaves the hospital. As we all know, Joni is a strong-willed woman and is nowhere near giving up the fight. Please continue to keep Joni in your thoughts.”

RELATED STORIES