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Alanis Morissette Profile |
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Birth Date: June 1, 1974
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Birth Place: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Birth Name: Alanis Nadine Morissette
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Height: 5'4
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Alanis Morissette Wallpaper |
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Biography |
Alanis Nadine Morissette was born on the 1st of June 1974,
to French-Canadian and Hungarian parents. Raised in Ottawa,
Canada, Alanis got her start as a pop diva in the Canadian
music industry, an industry that has seen fellow natives
Shania Twain and Celine Dion also rise to international
success.
The young ingénue was playing piano by the age of 6, and
songwriting by the age of 9. Thrust into the spotlight at 10
years old, Alanis was cast in the children's television
variety show You Can't Do That on Television. The child star
also had a single on her plate, entitled, "Fate Stay With
Me".
While her work on You Can't Do That on Television had
already given Alanis name power, it was her meeting with
Stephan Klovan in 1987 that turned her into a real pop diva.
Impressed by Alanis' talent after having cast her to perform
in Ottawa's Tulip Festival, Klovan helped Alanis land a
string of gigs such as singing pop-inspired versions of
Canada's national anthem at sporting events, and even a shot
on the talent show Star Search.
Alanis was signed to MCA/Canada at the age of 14 and in
1991, her pop-induced self-titled debut (at the time she was
penned simply as Alanis) was released. At a time where
female pop music was at its peak and riding on the coattails
of pop stars Debbie Gibson, Tiffany and Belinda Carlisle,
Alanis was a hit.
While still in high school, Alanis already had a platinum
album and a Juno Award for Most Promising Female Vocalist.
After the pop princess did not see as much success with her
second album release, Now Is the Time, Alanis had to
reevaluate her career choice.
After becoming a high school graduate, the former
teenybopper moved to Toronto in hopes of pumping some life
into her fading career as a musician. But her efforts were
in vain.
With nothing to lose and only plenty to gain, Alanis headed
to Los Angeles, and had the good fortune of hooking up with
songwriter-producer Glen Ballard in 1994. Along with
Ballard, who had previously worked with Michael Jackson and
Paula Abdul, Alanis was given the canvas to reach the core
of her soul and sing with her emotions.
The resulting demo tape made its way to several record
companies, but Madonna's Maverick was the lucky label that
signed Alanis, and saw the fruits of her talent. Madonna
even bought Alanis a hefty watch as a gift for the success
of Alanis' album, Jagged Little Pill.
The album, which has sold more than 16 million copies since
its release, spawned hit singles such as "Ironic", "You
Learn," and "You Oughta Know." The latter can be considered
a 90's version of "I Will Survive," a tribute to women who
have been hurt in the past by a man.
Jagged Little Pill, the result of Alanis' introspection and
soul-searching earned the female rocker Grammys for Album of
the Year, Best Female Vocal Performance for "You Oughta
Know" and Best Rock Album (out of a total of 6 Grammy
nominations). The album also set the record for the
best-selling US debut by a female solo artist, a record
previously held by Whitney Houston.
After the phenomenal success of Jagged Little Pill, Alanis
took some time off to contribute a single to the City of
Angels soundtrack, and appear as God in the film Dogma. She
also went to India to do some soul-searching of a different
kind, this time to find inner peace.
The result of this hiatus was the follow up to Jagged Little
Pill, entitled Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. With
singles such as "Thank U", "Unsent" and "So Pure", listeners
were treated to another side to the former "Jagged Pill": a
much softer, less edgy one.
Although the album did receive critical acclaim, it did not
see as much success as Jagged Little Pill (which was a tough
act to follow). Alanis showed that she is no longer angry,
and that she is more dimensional than the alternative rocker
we once knew. She was finally at peace, having found
herself, and the album had a sense of closure and renewal.
Her latest contribution to the music industry, Alanis
Unplugged, consists of acoustic recordings. As for acting,
she made her on-stage debut in March, performing in The
Vagina Monologues, and recently appeared on an episode of
Sex and the City, sharing an on-screen kiss with Sarah
Jessica Parker.
Alanis Morissette's aggressive yet genuine lyrics have given
women worldwide a voice, and have shown men and women
everywhere what they "oughta know" -- that one can overcome
adversity and heartache -- and soar. |
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Other
Information |
Born to a French Canadian father and a Hungarian mother.
Twin brother named Wade. Released two albums in Canada prior
to first release in U.S.
Twin-brother Wade, older brother Chad.
When her first debut single "Fate Stay With Me" and the
"Alanis", and "Now Is The Time" albums were released in
Canada she was known only as "Alanis". She was advised to go
just by her first name to not cause any name confusion with
Alannah Myles, another Canadian singer who was popular at
the time.
Attended Glebe Collegiate Institute in Ottawa, Ontario.
Has met Maverick Records boss Madonna only a few times. When
Jagged Little Pill hit the 1 million sales mark, Madonna
gave Alanis platinum nail polish to celebrate. In March
1999, Madonna gave her a $49,000 Tiffany's bracelet for her
success.
Phoned Mother Teresa the night before she died wanting to
volunteer, but she was sleeping. Not wanting to wake her,
Alanis said she would call back at a later time.
March 8th 1996 was named Alanis Morissette Day in Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada, by the then mayor.
Financial backer of Broadway musical 'Jane Eyre,' spring
2001.
Madonna had to meet with Alanis and exert pressure on her
not to quit Maverick Records over her disappointing sales -
and Maverick marketing - of latest album. [May 2001]
Her 1995 "Jagged Little Pill" is the top-selling debut album
in history. [2001]
After playing God in the movie Dogma (1999), she was asked
if she had ever read the Bible. She said she had, but found
it to be "patriarchal and sexist."
Her album, Under Rug Swept, released on February 26th 2002,
included 13 new songs.
When MP3 sponsored one of her concert tours, she was offered
$50,000 in cash. Instead, she chose to take it in the form
of company stock. When MP3 went public, the value of her
shares went into the millions of dollars.
Alanis admitted to US Weekly that "Hands Clean" from her
'Under Rug Swept' album is about an affair that she had with
a man 29 years old when she was just 14 years old. Their
relationship lasted 5 years.
Twin brother Wade is a yoga instructor.
Is 12 minutes younger than her twin brother.
Is the youngest artist to ever win an "Album of the Year"
Grammy. (age 21).
Won a 2003 Juno Award for Producer of the Year.
Attended the 2003 Canadian Juno Music Awards with actor Ryan
Reynolds.
Her albums have sold close to 55 million copies worldwide,
making her one of the highest selling female artists of all
time. She has also earned 3 American Music Awards, 12 Juno
Awards, and 7 Grammy Awards (she won Grammy's Album Oof The
Year at the age of 21, the youngest person to ever do so.)
Replaced Emma Thompson as God in the film Dogma (1999)
Was born at the Riverside Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario.
To celebrate their one year anniversary, Alanis and
boyfriend Ryan Reynolds wear matching rings on their fourth
fingers of their right hands. [May 2003]
Ranked #53 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll
Spoke German when she was a child but eventually forgot it
later in her life.
Will host the 2004 Juno Awards [Canadian Grammy Awards],
which will take place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on April
4.
April 24, 2004: Will be performing at an event featuring the
Dalai Lama to build support for his Tibet China Negotiation
Campaign. The event will take place in her hometown of
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
While hosting the 2004 Juno Music Awards in Edmonton,
Canada, she wore a nude-colored body suit with lifelike
nipples and pubic hair to make a statement about censorship
and Janet Jackson's breast-baring Superbowl incident. The
audience roared with laughter upon realizing that her nudity
was fake.
Dating Van Wilder (2002) actor Ryan Reynolds since 2002.
They have homes together in Los Angeles and Vancouver, B.C.
Attended "Notre Dame High School" located in Ottawa,
Ontario.
Became engaged to her boyfriend of two years, Canadian actor
Ryan Reynolds, in June 2004.
Shares a birthday with model Heidi Klum and actress Teri
Polo.
Plans on becoming an American citizen but will still keep
her Canadian citizenship.
Wrote and recorded her album "Jagged Little Pill," basing it
on her relationship with then-beau Dave Coulier and her
entire upbringing.
Has publicly stated her opposition to George W. Bush
invasion and occupation of Iraq.
Became a U.S. citizen on 11 February 2005. She now considers
herself a Canadian-American.
Will be inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame on 5 June
2005 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
"Jagged Little Pill" sold over 43 million copies making it
the biggest selling debut album of any artist in history.
Is fluent in French
Was engaged to Ryan Reynolds (I) . [2004-2006]
She was first considered for the character of Becky in the
original incarnation of Clerks 2, and would have involved
Randal falling in love with her as opposed to Dante, like in
the present version. |
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