Joni Mitchell received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Juno Awards and reflected on overcoming health struggles
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The singer shared how her 2015 aneurysm led to positive life changes, including quitting smoking and finding supportive caregivers
Mitchell performed "Big Yellow Taxi" with Sarah McLachlan and Allison Russell
There were no blue feelings forJoni Mitchellat the2026 Juno Awards, where she received a Lifetime Achievement Award and opened up about finding a silver lining amid herhealth struggles.
Mitchell, 82, was in great spirits as she accepted her win from Canadian Prime MinisterMark Carneyon Sunday, March 29. TheBluesinger — who suffered an aneurysm in 2015 that forced her to re-learn how to walk, talk and play guitar — waved to the crowd with a giggle as they gave her a standing ovation.
"I want to thank the Junos for this great honor. I really appreciate it. I'm so glad to be back in Canada," said the star, who grew up in Saskatoon. "Some years ago — 10 or 12 years ago, I forget how long ago — I had an aneurysm, which changed my life, oddly, for the better."
Mitchell told the crowd that she went into a coma, which helped her quit smoking, and also explained how her medical staff has enriched her life.
"My home's filled up with the most wonderful nurses. I was on the road with men for years and years and years, now I live with a house full of women, and I have a fantastic therapist [who] goes everywhere with me," she said. "So my life has changed for the better out of a catastrophe, like a phoenix who grows a better life."
Mitchell went on to praise Carney, whom she described as "wonderful" and "a blessing."
"We are so fortunate to have him," she said. "I'm living in the States and you know what's happening there."
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The "California" singer also showed off her dress, which had the word "happy" written multiple times in Chinese, as she was "happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy" to be at the Juno Awards in Carney's company.
Elsewhere during the show, Mitchell appeared on stage to sing her 1970 hit "Big Yellow Taxi" alongsideSarah McLachlanandAllison Russell. McLachlan began the medley of Mitchell's hits with "A Case of You," and was joined by Russell for "Both Sides Now" before the woman of the hour made her appearance.
Mitchell performed her first full set in over 20 years at theNewport Folk Festivalin 2022, sharing the stage with Brandi Carlile, Marcus Mumford and more.
After the performance, she spoke toCBS Newsabout having to re-learn a number of skills after her aneurysm.
"I'm learning," she said. "I'm looking at videos that are on the net to see where I put my fingers, you know. It's amazing what an aneurysm knocks out – how to get out of chair! You don't know how to get out of a bed. You have to learn all these things by rote again. I was into water ballet as a kid, and I forgot how to do the breaststroke. Every time I tried it, I just about drowned, you know? So, a lot of going back to infancy almost. You have to relearn everything."
In 2020, she joked tothe Guardianthat she was a "fighter" with "Irish blood," which helped her stay strong.
"I knew, 'Here I go again, another battle,'" she said.
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