21 Questions with… Alanis Morissette

December 2, 2013

I usually get up around… 8 a.m.
When I get dressed in the morning I… feel my way into what color or clothing I want to wear. I treat my clothes like tools of divination!
The one item of clothing I’m currently wearing most is… my workout clothes: Lululemon black short tights and Asics. I’ve been doing the Tracy Anderson method for three months and I feel better in my body than I ever have — I’ve also lost 20 pounds!
I’m dying to splurge on… a special form of electrical stimulation called neuromuscular electrical stimulation. I sprained my ankle and while I have stopped dancing and running for two weeks, I know my ankle needs more love and I have heard great things about it, but it seems like a treat on some level.
My favorite song right now is… Lorde “Royals”.
My guilty pleasure is… tequila in the afternoons after all my work is done.
When I’m stressed… I burn candles and incense and sage and play meditation music, I sit in a hot, hot bath or I brush my hair.
When I’m looking to be inspired I… go dancing or I watch a documentary (just watched Somm and Jiro Dreams of Sushi); I live for documentaries. I sometimes will also read an amazing book.
My beauty essential is… making sure my skin is clean, clean, clean and Quintessential Serum by Tammy Fender, Peppermint Exfoliating Scrub by Living Libations, Pratima Oil (organic hair nutrients on the ends of my hair), Balancing Lavender Toner by Elemis, Cleansing Milk for Natural Beauty by Ila and Dr. Alkaitis Nourishing Treatment Oil.
On a typical Saturday night I… have a date night with my husband… cooking together, going out to dinner or a movie.
I’d never travel without my… Bamboo Dreams blanket or my Kiss Mix Eve Lom Balm.
The best thing about performing live is… this incredible convergence of body, spirit, surrender, humility and power. With glitter, noise, sweat and freedom. I love it so much.
The worst thing about performing live is… when there is an injury or an illness, ultimately the show must go on, it’s when I have relied on adrenalin and prayers!
The best fan experience was… a young man in Japan coming up to me right after the best conveyor belt sushi experience and rolling up his sleeve and showing me a tattoo of me, and smiling — we giggled and hugged.
The last thing I Googled was… info on anti-inflammatory foods. I am obsessed.
If my days had one extra hour I’d… nap.
This holiday season I intend to… not have anything be too over the top in terms of a big build-up or over-giving. I also want to make the best vegan green bean casserole my family has ever tasted. I keep attempting to perfect it every year.
I’ll never forget the moment… my son was born. My midwife said very lovingly, but firmly, “Alanis, I want you to reach down, and hold your son.” I reached down and pulled him up on to my chest and he cried for five seconds and then snuggled in, crawled up and started breastfeeding. It was an otherworldly moment.
I’d love to work with… Alexa Chung on anything.
If I could change one thing about the music industry… it would be that money and fame would become #4 and #5 on the list of importance, after other priorities like amazing relationships, service and artistic expression. Also that our sexuality as women is only ONE aspect of our power, not ALL of it.
My New Year resolution is… to listen to my gut more. It always knows. I pooch myself when I ignore it.

Since 1995, Alanis Morissette has been one of the most influential singer-songwriter-musicians in contemporary music. Her deeply expressive music and performances have earned vast critical praise, 12 Canadian Juno Awards, 7 Grammy® Awards (with an additional 14 nominations), a Golden Globe nomination and sales of over 60 million albums worldwide. Morissette’s 1995 debut “Jagged Little Pill” was followed by such eclectic and acclaimed albums as “Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie” (1998), “Under Rug Swept” (2002), “So-Called Chaos” (2004), “Flavors Of Entanglement” (2008) and "Havoc and Bright Lights" (2012). Alanis has acted on the big and small screen with roles in Curb Your Enthusiasm, Dogma, Sex and the City, Weeds and Up All Night, and has appeared as a celebrity guest mentor on the 2nd season of The Voice. Outside of entertainment, Alanis is an avid supporter of female empowerment, as well as spiritual, psychological and physical wellness. She has contributed her writing to a variety of outlets and forums, and leads workshops, special speaking engagements and keynote speaking worldwide. For more information see alanis.com.

| The best thing about performing live is this incredible convergence of body, spirit, surrender, humility and power. With glitter, noise, sweat and freedom. I love it so much.