Alanis Morissette, the discontented artist, celebrates her fiftieth birthday.
In the '90s, Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette experienced immense fame and success with the release of her album "Jagged Little Pill." She's still making music today, even though her days of gut-wrenching anger may be behind her. At 50 years old, Morissette reflects on her journey to stardom in an interview on the podcast "Mom and Mind."
As a young girl, the desire to be admired, well-known, and have a voice was a common dream. For Morissette, this fantasy came true with "Jagged Little Pill" in 1995. Before that, she often felt alone, and she thought that fame would bring relief. Instead, it amplified the challenges of life in a male-dominated rock scene. Morissette has always been open about discussing the not-so-glamorous side of being famous, and this Saturday, she celebrates her 50th birthday.
Born in 1974 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Morissette's father operated a school while her mother, originally from Hungary, was also a teacher. With an older brother and a twin brother who arrived twelve minutes before her, Morissette's father named her as a female variation of his name, Alanis. Around the late '70s, their family moved temporarily to Heiligenzell in the Black Forest of Germany, where her parents worked at a nearby Canadian military base. Their time in Germany left a lasting impression on Morissette, who later cited a concert by friends of their parents as the reason she wanted to become a singer. She began recording her own songs during her elementary school years and released her first two albums in Canada before moving to Los Angeles to sign a record deal with Madonna's Maverick Records. Morissette considered Madonna to be very kind to her initially.
The move to Los Angeles led to the creation of her first album with Maverick. "Jagged Little Pill," with the full force of the intense and restless Alanis, set the world ablaze, selling over 30 million copies globally. Songs like "You Oughta Know," "Ironic," and "Head over Feet" quickly became classics. Morissette brought home four of the seven current Grammy awards, including the honor for Album of the Year, and became an overnight sensation. Her music often touched on the subject of aggression, earning her the title of the "angry young woman," which she viewed as a compliment.
Post-"Jagged Little Pill," Morissette's career continued to thrive. She secured many acting roles, appearing in the film "Dogma" and on Broadway in New York. Alanis-themed musicals were staged on Broadway in New York until 2021, naturally titled "Jagged Little Pill." In addition to her successful albums, she was romantically involved with Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds until they called it quits in 2007 and later married rapper Souleye, with whom she now shares three children. She has been candid about postpartum depression.
Saying farewell to the tempestuous times
Alanis Morissette's latest album, "The Storm Before The Calm," hints at her departure from her turbulent musical past. Expansive and less intense soundscapes on this project resembled meditative music to some. This album did not achieve the same level of success as her previous works.
Managing her career and staying true to herself may be more important to Morissette than continuing down a path of past accomplishments. In the podcast "Mom and Mind," she mentioned that "You essentially volunteer yourself often unconsciously to be a blank canvas on which people project all their things." She also noted how tiring this could be when you eventually feel like an artifact. "So, I've tried to navigate through that with a lot of grace and self-determination," she added.
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Despite stepping away from her intense musical style, Alanis Morissette continues to contribute to the world of music and entertainment. Her latest album, "The Storm Before The Calm," showcases a more meditative sound, offering a departure from her turbulent musical past.
Amidst her successful career, Morissette acknowledged the impact of fame on her life, stating in an interview that she had often served as a "blank canvas on which people project all their things." She emphasized the importance of managing her career while staying true to herself, noting that the constant projection and admiration can leave one feeling exhausted and like an artifact.
