Alanis Morissette

Alanis Morissette is a singer, songwriter, actress, director, and producer known for her uncompromising style and intensely personal lyrics.

Alanis Nadine Morissette was born on June 1st, 1974, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She has a twin brother, Wade, and an older brother, Chad, both of whom went on to be back-up singers on her début album. When Morissette was three years old, the family relocated to Lahr in the Black Forest in Germany, remaining there for three years. Always passionate about music, Morissette began playing piano at the age of six and was writing her own songs by the age of nine. A year later she was to appear on the variety show You Can't Do That on Television. Capitalizing on the popularity this gave her, Morissette used the money she made to promote her first single, “Fate Stay with Me.” She performed with the Orpheus Musical Society, participated in Star Search, and eventually signed with MCA Records Canada to release the album, Alanis.

Despite the success of the album, which went double platinum, this was a difficult time in Morissette's life. As she struggled to come to terms with her bisexuality, she was also under pressure from studio executives to make herself more marketable by losing weight, which led her to become anorexic and bulimic. Morissette was also living alone, in Toronto, for the first time in her life. To help herself cope, she made frequent social trips to Los Angeles, on one of which she was robbed at gunpoint, leading to frequent panic attacks, which psychotherapy did little to help. However, it was in Los Angeles that she met producer and songwriter Glen Ballard (famous for his work with Michael Jackson and Paula Abdul). The two immediately developed a firm friendship and creative partnership which led to the production of Morissette's massively successful and critically acclaimed second album, Jagged Little Pill. The album was released by Maverick Records after some persuasion from Madonna, who gave Morissette a watch as a gift in recognition of her success.

After becoming established as a singer and contributing to several film soundtracks, Morissette developed an interest in acting, making a notable appearance as God in the Kevin Smith film Dogma, which also starred Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Linda Fiorentino, and Alan Rickman. She also featured in Smith's spin-off project Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, with Jason Mewes and Shannon Elizabeth; and appeared as a singer in the Cole Porter biopic De-Lovely, with Kevin Kline, Ashley Judd, and Jonathan Pryce. Besides film, Morissette has acted in several television series, including Sex and the City, with Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall; American Dreams, with Tom Verica and Sarah Ramos; and Degrassi: The Next Generation, with Miriam McDonald and Aubrey Graham. Morissette has written, directed, and produced several videos and short films relating to her own career, and has also appeared onstage in The Vagina Monologues and The Exonerated.

Exhausted by the rock n' roll lifestyle, Morissette took a long break around the turn of the century, spending time in India where she converted to Buddhism. On her return, she formed a new band with Jason Orme, Zac Rae, David Levita, and Blair Sinta, going on to release several successful albums and touring with The Barenaked Ladies as well as performing with Avril Lavigne. Morissette became a naturalized citizen of the United States and got engaged to her actor boyfriend Ryan Reynolds, whom she met at Drew Barrymore's birthday party, though there are rumors that the couple has since split up. She now lives in Los Angeles, close to the Ghetty Museum.

YUDDY