Joni Mitchell 'not in a coma,' reports official website


Following a Tuesday report by TMZ that legendary folk singer Joni Mitchell had lapsed into a coma, a statement has been posted to Mitchell's official website, assuring fans that the TMZ story was false.
"Contrary to rumors circulating on the internet today, Joni is not in a coma," said the statement. "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."
Mitchell's health problems began in March, when she was rushed to the hospital after being found unconscious in her Los Angeles home. TMZ has not retracted its original story.
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Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.
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