Alanis Morissette has publicly identified as pansexual at the age of 52, making the revelation during a recent appearance on the Handsome podcast.
The Grammy-winning singer, best known for her hit album Jagged Little Pill, discussed her sexuality during a conversation with the podcast’s hosts, comedians Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster, alongside non-binary screenwriter Mae Martin.
The revelation came after the conversation turned to the personal experiences and relationships that influenced some of her most recognisable songs.
Singer Confirms Her Sexuality During Podcast Conversation
During the episode, Fortune Feimster referred to the men who had hurt Morissette in the past, noting that although she felt sorry for the singer’s experiences, she appreciated the music that emerged from them.
Feimster then asked whether those experiences had ever made Morissette consider becoming a lesbian.
Responding immediately, the singer said, “I’m pansexual, so yeah.”
Her answer prompted a surprised reaction from Notaro, who asked whether she was serious about identifying as pansexual.
Morissette confirmed her statement, saying, “I am.”
Mae Martin subsequently joined the conversation, revealing that they also identify as pansexual.
Pansexuality refers to the capacity to experience romantic, emotional or sexual attraction to people regardless of their gender identity or biological sex.
Morissette’s Previous Relationships and Love Addiction
Although Morissette generally keeps her private relationships away from public attention, the singer has been romantically linked to several prominent figures throughout her career.
Her past relationships include Full House actor Dave Coulier, actor Dash Mihok and attorney Tom Ballanco.
She also dated actor Ryan Reynolds in 2002.
The pair became engaged and remained together for three years before ending their relationship in 2007.
Morissette has previously spoken openly about struggling with love addiction and sex addiction.
Her relationship with Coulier is widely associated with the inspiration behind her commercially successful album Jagged Little Pill.
Singer Revisits Controversial Interview About Ryan Reynolds Breakup
In 2008, Morissette appeared on The Howard Stern Show, where she faced several personal questions about her separation from Reynolds.
During the interview, she discussed attending therapy five days a week following the breakup and attempted to navigate questions about her former relationship and sex life.
When Stern brought up her frequent therapy sessions, Morissette clarified that her decision to seek professional help was not simply about her former partner.
“Therapy’s not about the guy… It’s about me. It’s not about the guy,” she explained.
Stern also questioned her about Reynolds moving on with actress Scarlett Johansson shortly after their separation.
When he asked whether Reynolds had returned home to announce that he was dating someone else, Morissette firmly responded, “No.”
Asked whether she had anticipated the end of their relationship, the singer nodded and acknowledged that she had prepared herself for the possibility.
She declined to speculate about Reynolds’ approach to relationships, telling Stern that she could not speak for him.
Morissette Criticises Treatment During Past Media Interviews
Reflecting on the 2008 interview in a June interview with The Sunday Times, Morissette described the experience as part of a wider pattern of how women were treated during public interviews.
“It felt like the ongoing normalisation of me being invisible,” she said.
The singer added that she would approach such questioning differently if she were confronted with it today.
She also criticised the normalisation of insulting and humiliating women, recalling how derogatory language and intrusive questions were frequently directed at female public figures.
Morissette said she now had numerous questions she could ask in response to similarly inappropriate questioning.
Singer Marries Rapper Souleye and Starts a Family
Morissette married rapper Mario Treadway, professionally known as Souleye, in 2010.
The couple share three children, including two sons and a daughter, whose ages range from six to 15.
Speaking about her husband in her interview with The Sunday Times, Morissette highlighted the qualities that attracted her to him.
She explained that, unlike people she had previously dated, Souleye never made her feel unusual for expressing herself or discussing her interests.
According to the singer, he never attempted to restrict her individuality or limit her personal growth.
Morissette Continues Los Angeles Residency
The singer is currently performing in Los Angeles as part of her residency, titled Butterfly with a Machete.
The production combines musical performances with storytelling, offering audiences a mixture of her music and personal narratives.
Her latest podcast appearance adds another public disclosure to her history of speaking openly about relationships, personal struggles and experiences that have influenced her life and music.
